PC push for public service jobs

THE public service would set job targets to recruit staff with specific backgrounds under a politically-correct push by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

THE public service would set job targets to recruit more staff from racial and “gender identity” minorities under a politically-correct push by the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Nadine Flood said there was no reason why targets shouldn’t be considered.

The Federal Government’s human rights watchdog, which has repeatedly come under fire for its radical agenda, has told the Government’s public service review “special measures’’ are needed to recruit more workers from “disadvantaged racial groups’’.

It has called for new targets to hire staff on the grounds of race disability, age and “gender identity’’ — despite concerns affirmative action policies have led to “female favouritism” in the public service.

“The Commission acknowledges that it is sometimes challenging for agencies when faced with the call for diversity and equality targets and measures across a range of different issues: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, disability, ageing, cultural diversity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status,’’ the AHRC has told the Government review.

“This can sometimes overwhelm people and lead to inaction. Consideration should be given … to setting measurable targets with clear time frames that hold agencies accountable.’’

The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) already has a target for 3 per cent indigenous employment by the end of this year, but many agencies still have less than 2 per cent indigenous employment, with some at zero.

The AHRC says that a quarter of Australians have a non-European or indigenous background — yet 99 per cent of federal or state departmental secretaries come from a European cultural background and none are indigenous.

The Community and Public Sector Union backed the plan.

“People expect the Government to set targets in a whole range of areas … so we see no reason why targets shouldn’t be considered in the context of workplace diversity,’’ union national secretary Nadine Flood told The Sunday Mail.

“The APS needs to have the right people to provide the best services to the community, and that means a workforce that reflects the diversity that makes Australia such a vibrant and great place to live.”

But former Productivity Commission staffer John Papadimitriou who recently retired from his 30-year career in the public service, has warned of possible “female favouritism’’ in gender-balance policy.

Public Service Commissioner John Lloyd, who is stepping down on Wednesday, declined to comment on the diversity targets yesterday.