The Callinan Inquiry into equine influenza has confirmed what front-line quarantine staff have known for some time - AQIS is under-staffed and under-resourced.
With the Biosecurity Review (Beale) underway, the CPSU is pushing for more support for AQIS staff and the vital work they do. In our submissions to the Callinan and Beale reviews, CPSU identified a range of serious problems with AQIS procedures and structures as well as a lack of resources. We are calling on DAFF to work with staff and their union to ensure;
effective and consistent procedures across the agency
clear lines of management accountability
management respect the right of staff to raise issues, ideas and concerns through their union.
Equine Influenza Inquiry (Callinan Inquiry)
Quarantine and Biosecurity Review (Beale Inquiry)
What has happened so far?
CPSU made a strong and comprehensive submission to the Callinan Inquiry
The government will soon release the reports and its response.
What has happened so far?
The Review Panel has released an Issues Paper asking stakeholders to comment on opportunities to streamline processes and rationalise AQIS staff numbers.
CPSU members have appeared before the Review Panel – ensuring the Panel hears first hand from frontline AQIS staff.
What happens next?
It is likely that the government will make some immediate changes to AQIS operations and refer other matters to the Beale Review.
CPSU will act immediately to assess the government’s response and ensure our members’ interests are protected. We will take up any issues with the employer and government.
What happens next?
CPSU is arranging for the Review Panel to hear a submission from Vets.
CPSU analysis of stakeholder submissions to the Review – to identify any concerns or threats to AQIS staff.
How can you help protect AQIS jobs?
Only the CPSU is committed to protecting the jobs of all Quarantine Officers and making sure AQIS is properly resourced and managed. Your support is essential.
I somewhat agree with FM, however it cuts both ways. There are a number of us who have the relevant industry experience gained over a number of years. Alot of us know that the quarantine rules we are meant to impose, are not in fact 'quarantine' related, but in fact and very obviously, trade protectionism in disguise. That is the reason for alot of us using our commonsense and discretion. FM you need to think about the consequences of 'passing' something; what it the end use, where is the product going, will it be further processed or is it already highly processed etc? I applaud your enthusiasm and wish I had 100 more staff like you. The problem is the inconsistency in recruitment policy (all thanks to incompetent HR managers) and the inconsistency in applying quarantine rules across each program area. There is one set of rules for mail goods, and another for goods with passengers. This is not good enough AQIS and the public and our overseas visitors deserve better.
FM another point to consider is the workload. If we were all as diligent and thorough as you, budgets would be blown out of the water. Bring on Christmas mail overtime at Clyde; I can't wait to get my hands on that easy cash!
Posted by:FM - 17 Jun 2008, 8:42am
Sad to see Stephen Hunter take the fall on this. But any action should not just fall on those at the top. Policies such as recruitment should be reviewed. It is not acceptable for the people of rural Australia to have to rely on AQIS recruiting and promoting staff with no relevant qualifications or experience. I have been with AQIS a long time, and I am sick of working my guts out while others sit around reading newspapers and demanding a radio to listen to. I have been subjected to ridicule because i do things properly. I have been bullied by a supervisor trying to get me to release prohibited goods, with the supervisor repeatedly stating that "this is bullshit" and "doesn't matter." We have an officer pulling parcels aside for inspection and passing them without doing an inspection. He then demands a promotion! There needs to be an overhaul of not just procedures, but policies and staff. My recommendations are that anyone holding a Level 3 position or higher should have quarantine relevant qualifications or at least 2 years experience in a quarantine related field. We also need to weed out officers who only want the money and nothing else.
Posted by:mike - 28 May 2008, 9:18am
Good to see the union sticking up for the staff. But AQIS managment deserve everyting they get out of the EI report.
I somewhat agree with FM, however it cuts both ways. There are a number of us who have the relevant industry experience gained over a number of years. Alot of us know that the quarantine rules we are meant to impose, are not in fact 'quarantine' related, but in fact and very obviously, trade protectionism in disguise. That is the reason for alot of us using our commonsense and discretion. FM you need to think about the consequences of 'passing' something; what it the end use, where is the product going, will it be further processed or is it already highly processed etc? I applaud your enthusiasm and wish I had 100 more staff like you. The problem is the inconsistency in recruitment policy (all thanks to incompetent HR managers) and the inconsistency in applying quarantine rules across each program area. There is one set of rules for mail goods, and another for goods with passengers. This is not good enough AQIS and the public and our overseas visitors deserve better.
FM another point to consider is the workload. If we were all as diligent and thorough as you, budgets would be blown out of the water. Bring on Christmas mail overtime at Clyde; I can't wait to get my hands on that easy cash!
Sad to see Stephen Hunter take the fall on this. But any action should not just fall on those at the top. Policies such as recruitment should be reviewed. It is not acceptable for the people of rural Australia to have to rely on AQIS recruiting and promoting staff with no relevant qualifications or experience.
I have been with AQIS a long time, and I am sick of working my guts out while others sit around reading newspapers and demanding a radio to listen to.
I have been subjected to ridicule because i do things properly. I have been bullied by a supervisor trying to get me to release prohibited goods, with the supervisor repeatedly stating that "this is bullshit" and "doesn't matter." We have an officer pulling parcels aside for inspection and passing them without doing an inspection. He then demands a promotion!
There needs to be an overhaul of not just procedures, but policies and staff.
My recommendations are that anyone holding a Level 3 position or higher should have quarantine relevant qualifications or at least 2 years experience in a quarantine related field. We also need to weed out officers who only want the money and nothing else.
Good to see the union sticking up for the staff. But AQIS managment deserve everyting they get out of the EI report.