Back on November 14, 2005, I issued a statement expressing grave concern about the conduct of a number of departments plans to prevent or revoke leave for public servants planning to attend a union day of protest. (See attached)
Today it has been reported that the Federal Court have determined that in advising federal departments, the Department of Employment & Workplace Relations acted in a party political manner and denied employees freedom of association when they refused them leave to attend the National Day of Protest.
I welcome this decision by the Federal Court as it vindicates the concern and frustration expressed to me at the time by public servants feeling as though their rights as citizens were being oppressed. It was conveyed to me at the time that many public servants who did choose to attend were made to feel very uncomfortable by management.
The hypocrisy of the Howard Government is there for all to see as there is no talk of the Howard Government penalising its own political minions for this breach of their work place laws.
I call on the Howard Government to rule out an appeal immediately and admit they required senior public servants to act in a party political way in breach of the public service code of ethics.
Follow this link to find my first medial release on this issue: 14 November 2005 – Howard Government uses threats and bullying to sabotage community IR protest
Contact: Rachel Allen – 0418 488 295 or 02 6230 0411
