MR STEVENS ASKED THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND FAIR TRADING (MR LAWLOR) —
QUESTION:
With reference to the government’s plans to relocate 500 Liquor and Gaming Regulation and Office of Regulatory Policy, Racing and Fair Trading employees to Ipswich—
What alternative workplace mediation has been offered to employees to ensure the retention of experienced and knowledgeable staff that may be lost in the relocation proposal?
ANSWER:
The department recently learned from the Department of Public Works that the Ipswich City Council has now advised that the proposed building will not be ready until the third quarter of 2013.
There is still a commitment to decentralising government services. As part of this, the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation will still relocate a portion of its business to the Ipswich precinct. However this revised timeframe provides an opportunity to review and plan which services would be better relocated to this centre and the means by which this will be achieved.
A project team will be formed within the department to help identify how to make the decentralisation work for staff, customers and the broader community. The project team will develop a range of short and long term options. As part of its role, the project team will ensure that staff are informed of progress and developments as the project moves along.
The department’s Employee Assistance Service also remains available to support where needed.
