We may ask ourselves - why WOULD a Government outsource to the private sector OUR Govt agencies' SERVICES & RESPONSIBILITIES like the Centrelink call-centre, allow private job agencies to 'breach' people & cut them off from Social Security payments, oversee a social security debit card, our refugee detention centres & outsource other agencies like the Australian Tax Office - POSSIBLY even other services that are being looked at now – that WE the Australian people might NOT be AWARE of?
Is it ONLY about SAVING the Australian tax-payer MONEY? Because if we look at $423M Paladin security contract for Manus Island that costs us $1,600/day per person BEFORE food & welfare services - that DOESN'T seem to be very good value for OUR money! Especially when we know they employ local PNG security workers who get paid only a few dollars a day - nowhere near as much as Australian security workers!
The Centrelink Call Centre has been outsourced to four private contractors, Serco, DataCom Connect, Concentrix Services and Stellar Asia Pacific. At a cost of some $881M.
Human services minister, Michael Keenan in October 2018, cited a report by accounting firm KPMG that the government says found outsourced staff performed better than full-time public servants. The government refused to release the report.
Yet the ethics & credibility of some of these multi-national companies have to be questioned...
The Government has also outsourced to PRIVATE companies in the Australian Tax Office:
Labour hire staff company employees are now carrying out audits, doing debt work and other "core" functions traditionally done by Tax Officials, the CPSU says.
Does there not appear to be a potential CONFLICT OF INTEREST using Labour Hire Companies who are meant to PAY TAX to the Australian people - in OUR Tax Office?
OUR Government is paying multiple millions of dollars to private companies who don't PAY their workers a great deal of money.
It certainly doesn't seem ETHICAL for a Government supposedly working FOR the Australian people to be actively PUSHING DOWN Australian employees' wages & contributing to Australian worker's job insecurity and it doesn't appear to be SAVING us too much money!
Why would they be doing this?
Could it be that the APS Values & Codes that Public Service workers have to sign up to & follow is a PROBLEM for our Government?
Are these private sector workers expected to comply with & uphold the SAME values with dealing with the Australian public?
Who oversees them if they are not?
https://www.apsc.gov.au/aps-values-and-code-conduct-practice
1.2.8 APS employees should act in a way that models and promotes the highest standard of ethical behaviour, following through on commitments made and having the courage to address difficult issues. Employees should take account of whole of government issues and concerns in developing and implementing policies and programs.
1.2.9 When working with the Government, to uphold this Value employees should act in the right way, as well as the technically and legally correct way. The ‘right decision’ or the ‘right action’, depending on context, is likely to require having regard to the intent of a relevant law or policy. In practice this means employees need to understand the reasons for the law or the policy. The more senior the employee, the greater the expectation that they will have this understanding.
Impartial
1.2.18 The Impartial Value provides for an APS that is apolitical and provides the Government with advice that is frank, honest, timely and based on the best available evidence.
1.2.19 Advice provided to the Government must also be:
a. objective and non-partisan
b. relevant, comprehensive and unaffected by fear of consequences, not withholding important facts or bad news
c. mindful of the context in which a policy is to be implemented, the broader policy directions set by the Government and its implications for the longer term.
Ethical
2.2.7 The Ethical Value provides for an APS that demonstrates leadership, is trustworthy, and acts with integrity in all it does.
2.2.8 The Directions about this Value require APS employees to comply with all relevant laws, appropriate professional standards and the APS Code of Conduct. Employees must act in accordance with government policy and decisions. An employee’s actions must also comply with the law.[i]
2.2.9 The law can sometimes be complex. The work of public servants may be subject to many different statutes, regulations, other legislative instruments and other rules. Employees should ensure they know and understand the laws that are relevant to their duties.
2.2.10 When working with the public, employees must follow through on commitments made and must be able to demonstrate that they have acted with honesty and integrity. Employees are expected to act in the right way, as well as the technically and legally correct way.
2.2.11 The Directions about this Value also require employees to provide leadership in policy development, implementation and program management. This requirement is relevant to consultation with the community on these matters.
Respectful
2.2.12 The Respectful Value provides for an APS that respects all people, including their rights and their heritage.
2.2.13 The Directions about this Value require APS employees to treat all people with dignity, recognising that all people have value. They should deal with all people honestly and with integrity. Employees should recognise the importance of human rights and understand Australia’s human rights obligations, and comply with all relevant anti-discrimination laws. They should recognise and foster diversity and be open to ideas in policy development, implementation, program management and regulation.
2.2.14 An awareness of, and sensitivity to, the diversity of the Australian community is important to achieve quality advice and service provision. It ensures different perspectives are brought to bear on decision-making. Good policy and program delivery is responsive to the needs and interests of different community groups.
2.2.15 Consultation with the community and business sectors is critical to policy development and program design. Different perspectives promote innovation and can produce new ideas. Good policy requires a thorough understanding of the issue to be addressed and the impact any policy proposals would have on stakeholders. Governments are rarely able to impose policy solutions in isolation, and the success of resultant programs is dependent to a large extent on the ability of government to mobilise wide community support.
2.2.16 When working with the public, collaboration may include:
a. ensuring members of the community have a reasonable opportunity to contribute to policy development and program design
b. correctly identifying relevant stakeholders in the community and understanding their interests and backgrounds
c. listening to, and having appropriate regard to, the views of community representatives
d. working with stakeholders to refine and develop approaches
e. notifying the community of the outcomes of the policy development or program design process and the likely impact on community members.
Too much information? Yes but many of you may not be aware of just HOW much our Government is outsourcing to multi-national private sector companies who have NO ALLEGIANCE to the Australian people.
While the workers may be Australians - when you are low paid & your job is insecure you are LESS LIKELY to 'rock the boat' if you see unethical behaviour in the workplace