print this page
© Copyright Commonwealth of Australia - Australian Public Service Commission
Home page
> Minister > Archive > Speech
‹ Previous page
Ministerial speeches and media releases - Archive
Presentation of APS 1998 Workplace Diversity Awards
Senator The Hon Chris Ellison
Special Minister of State
Canberra - 24 February 1999
Thank you, and I would like to join the Commissioner and Ms Michalina Stawyskyj in welcoming you here tonight. I know that David Kemp, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, wanted to be here tonight, but his absence has given me the pleasant opportunity to be a part of these Awards.
This is a very important occasion when we give these awards out and I want to thank all those people who participated. Of course, not everyone will get an award but what makes these things so successful is the participation that you get across the Australian Public Service.
As the twenty-first century approaches it is timely for us to look back and see how far the Australian Public Service has come in creating a fairer and more flexible and diverse workplace. It is also appropriate to look forward and think about how we can use workplace diversity to achieve an even better future.
Over the last decade both the public and private sectors have come to recognise the importance and benefits of a diverse workforce. The APS had already been proactive in implementing equal employment opportunity programs which has led to a steady increase in the representation of the four EEO groups in the workplace.
But there are still barriers to bring down, particularly in relation to the employment of people with a disability and the progression of members of all the EEO groups into senior management positions.
EEO policies and programs have been crucial in countering workplace discrimination and disadvantage in the APS. The Government's workplace diversity policy incorporates EEO but also takes another large step forward. It requires APS agencies not only to combat workplace disadvantage but also to manage the diversity within their organisation to contribute to better business outcomes. It sees diversity as a positive, creative force.
Workplace diversity means that we will have a public service that is creative and innovative in its policy advice and responsive to all its clients' needs in its service delivery.
Implicit in the requirement to develop Workplace Diversity Programs is a recognition of the diversity of both Australia's workforce and the Australian community served by the APS. Workplace Diversity Programs can lead to the acknowledgment and valuing of the different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives of staff. This in turn can lead to new, creative ways of doing things and a better understanding of the needs of all clients.
The public service is under growing pressure to find new solutions to the issues it confronts. The agencies that embrace diversity and utilise the talents and skills of all their employees will be best placed to find those solutions.
Some agencies are finding that the workplace diversity approach can actually provide a model and a catalyst for the more effective integration of people management and workplace practices into their overall organisational goals and business objectives.
The workplace diversity model therefore not only requires agencies to maintain a fair, inclusive and non discriminatory workplace, it challenges them to more effectively understand, manage and value their workforce in terms of their overall business objectives.
This is not always easy to do but the use of the skills, talents and abilities of all the staff of an agency can lead to creative and innovative ways of doing things.
The nominations received for the 1998 Workplace Diversity Awards demonstrate this. And while not all nominations can receive an Award all agencies will reap the benefits of putting in place their Programs.
The 1997 winners provided some excellent examples of innovation and creativity in the management of equity and diversity and in the provision of effective services to a diverse community. The Family Court of Australia, which won the Open category of the 1997 Equality Awards, produced a video, which helped Indigenous Australians to better understand the function of the Court, and the services provided by it. It also addressed the particular cultural concerns of Indigenous Australians in dealing with the Court. That struck me as something that would be very useful, having practised in the Family Court in my past life as a solicitor. It is an idea which could well be expanded into other sections of the community.
The 1997 winner in the Regional category was Centrelink International Services in Hobart. Centrelink established a Cultural and Linguistic Skills Register which, supported by study and development assistance, enabled it to effectively identify and use the cultural and linguistic skills of its employees to improve its dealings with overseas organisations and local clients - again applying lateral thinking to how its services are provided to the wider community.
1998 was the year in which APS agencies were required to make the transition from an EEO to a Workplace Diversity model. It is both interesting and gratifying to note, therefore, that we had 27 entries for the 1998 awards. That speaks volumes for the efforts that have been made across the APS in that regard. The number of entrants and the level of quality itself demonstrates that APS agencies are managing the significant cultural shift with professionalism, commitment and confidence.
Some of the innovations we will hear more of in a moment are about changing the culture of the agency so that there is greater recognition of the needs of all staff. Others are about the development of new ways of training staff so that they can understand the diverse needs of their clients. But they will all lead to a better way of doing things and a higher level of service delivery.
It is therefore appropriate that tonight we recognise and reward those agencies that have put in place innovative practices to implement their Workplace Diversity Programs.
Can I thank you for your efforts and the great work you are doing. Can I say to those tonight who are unsuccessful, keep up the good work and maybe next year you will be successful. In advance of the announcement I would like to congratulate all those who have been successful.
