Qld public servants’ paid leave to mourn the Voice: What you said
News that Queensland public servants have been offered paid leave to mourn the Voice defeat has been met with furious debate. JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Opinion
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A chance to mourn or, as some call it, “simply a joke”?
Revelations that Queensland public servants have been offered five days’ special paid leave for psychological distress if they are grieving the outcome of the failed Voice referendum has left many readers bemused. Others are irate.
Public Sector Commissioner David Mackie wrote to directors-general saying they could offer workers special leave – an entitlement that is usually unpaid – in addition to the sick leave.
Mr Mackie said the initiative was to ensure government workplaces were kept psychologically and culturally safe after the referendum result.
“To help ensure this is realised, employees who are experiencing challenges with their social and emotional wellbeing at this time, such that they feel that they should not attend the workplace, should be supported in accessing appropriate leave entitlements to look after their health and wellbeing,” Mr Mackie wrote.
However, with Queensland leading the nation in overwhelmingly rejecting an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, with almost 70 per cent voting no, news of the paid leave has left many unhappy.
In a couriermail.com.au poll, 91 per cent of more than 13,000 voters said they would not support a Treaty.
The email from Mr Mackie called for departments across the public service to acknowledge the emotional impact the referendum result would have on First Nations workers in the public service.
Mr Mackie said chief executives were able to consider approving up to five days special leave for “exceptional circumstances in the first instance”.
Indigenous leaders committed to a week of mourning following Saturday’s referendum defeat, where the national majority and every state voted against the Voice.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
WHAT YOU SAID
What a joke
Angela
The contempt this Government has for everyday Queenslanders is disgusting. The public service are there to serve NOT mourn! Its your job – get on with it. #Outthedoorin24
Corey
This is so easy to believe with this poor excuse for a government. Let’s throw more tax payers money down the toilet.
Really exposes the loony lefts approach to the democratic process – when we lose let’s have a sulk
mike
That is absolutely ridicules, I have never heard such a lot of baloney, if they want a week off, give it to them, But with no pay, The people of Queensland voted no, so abide by the vote.
Trevor
Is it April fools day?
Kerry
That’s probably one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard.
Leave? Fair enough
TJ
You’re all pretty heartless. A group of people whose ancestors have inhabited Australia for 65000 years have just been told that the rest of us (who have only lived here in the last 230ish years) couldn’t give a rats about them and consider them lesser citizens. Give them a moment to recover from this.
Blackstar
Relates to those public servants who recognise as indigenous and within the current guidelines for paid leave in special circumstances such as bereavement and domestic violence
Aussie politics at it again!
Noidea
This is why the general public have such contempt for bureaucrats and the whole public service
Eric
Another soft decision by the Qld excuse for a Govt which will not pass the Pub Test today.
Gav
Absolute gold. Keep it up lefties. You get the politicians you deserve and you’ve got five days to think about it. LOL
Paul
What a joke! These politicians and public servants have got no idea, the only thing they are good at is sponging off taxpayers money
Leo
Poor little snowflakes. The Left have gone insane.
Puzzled
This is OUR money … not some slush fund for leftist dimwits to splash around on half-witted virtue-signalling pity parties.
Time for Labor to go
Jim
Another nail in the coffin of the LABOR Government. They still don’t get it. This Labor/Union stunt is seen for what it is and a refusal to understand the community they should be representing.
Steevo C
She is trying to keep the public servants as her voters. She will do anything to stay in power, even paying (with our own tax dollars) zero integrity
Charles
Is the Labor Party paying the bill? Surely a woke govt like woke companies is considering the fact that this is shareholder (taxpayer money) being spent here. The rest of the country is at work, come on.
John
Get rid of this fool.
jen
good to see tax payers money going to good use to ensure the state is being run right
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