NSW premier Chris Minns has announced a review into rules governing public sector employment in the state following several expensive redundancies at NSW police.
The review responds to Guardian reports that embattled police commissioner Karen Webb has gone through three senior media advisers in two years, at a cost of $687,000 in redundancy payments. A fourth sacked media adviser is also expected to receive a payout.
Minns said the review would focus on payouts for senior public servants, and would affect other public sector employees such as nurses and teachers.
“I think that (a review) is appropriate and necessary because these are large amounts of money being handed to senior executives for not doing a job.”
“These are large amounts of money that have been handed to senior executives.
“It’s taxpayer money and I can understand community concern about those separation payments.”
The last review of the Government Sector Employment Act (GSE) was conducted by the previous government, in 2020. Another review was a discussion point between the NSW Public Service Association and the Labor party in the lead-up to the 2023 election.
At the time, Minns committed to reviewing the act if Labor won the election.
“Labor is committed to reviewing [the GSE] in March so all stakeholders can have their say about what shape the GSE needs to take moving forward,” he said.
A spokesperson for the Premier’s Department said the review will be conducted by the NSW Cabinet Office. The findings will be made public once completed.
“The NSW government has a strong focus on ensuring that government expenditure, including in relation to the employment of public service senior executives, is appropriate and efficient,” she said.
“The Cabinet Office is currently reviewing the arrangements in relation to separation payments made to public service senior executives.”
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