1.1
Coalition
Senators of the Committee cannot agree with the recommendations of the majority
report which attempts to disrupt and politicise a longstanding pillar of the
government’s policy agenda, namely the decentralisation of Government jobs
outside of Canberra, central Sydney and central Melbourne.
1.2
The
relocation of Australian Public Service (APS) agencies and jobs has been a
consistent and unapologetic part of the Federal Government’s commitment to
ensuring the benefits of national economic growth is not restricted to our
major cities through our decentralisation agenda.
1.3
This
policy provides proven benefits to regional communities through the creation of
local jobs, local economic diversification, and stimulation of regional
economic growth.
1.4
Recommendation
4 of the majority report calls for government to prioritise a stable workforce
for the Australian public service. It is our argument that decentralisation
improves regional access to stable government jobs and related business
opportunities.
1.5
Decentralisation
is also about equity. Rural and regional Australians deserve government
careers just as much as city people. Regional economies deserve government
agencies just as much as capital cities do.
1.6
By
locating government services and jobs in the regions, public servants are close
to the people and industries they serve. The benefits go beyond service
delivery.
1.7
Closer
proximity to rural and regional communities and stakeholders supports greater
understanding of the views, needs and experiences of citizens living and
working in rural Australia. It reinforces the Government’s strong connection
with regional communities and the land.
1.8
The
Liberal National Government is leading by example and delivering for rural,
regional and remote Australia to create long term careers and confidence to
build sustainable local communities.
1.9
The
decentralisation strategy enacted by the Liberal National Government will
create more career opportunities for young people and enable them to stay in
the communities they grew up in.
1.10
We
know the flow on effect from relocating agencies will contribute to a region’s
economic prosperity in the form of new employment opportunities, both direct
and indirect.
1.11
In
a recent recruitment round, APVMA received almost 300 applications for between
15 and 40 jobs. There were 79 applications from scientists all over Australia
for 19 science jobs.
1.12
In
addition, APVMA announced in July 2018 that they would have a unit of
specialist scientists and decision makers who will work from Canberra. This
will ensure that APVMA fulfils its statutory obligations under the Agricultural
and Veterinary Chemicals Code and maintain access to highly skilled scientific
staff.
APVMA Performance
1.13
The
latest available performance statistics (September 2018 quarter) released in
November 2018, shows that the APVMA has significantly improved its performance,
with 86 per cent of applications finalised within the legislated timeframes.
This is the fifth straight quarter of timeframe performance improvement.
1.14
In
the September 2018 quarter, APVMA commenced the assessment of 757 product,
permit and active applications; and finalised 996 applications for products,
permits and actives.
1.15
Results
from the September 2018 quarter also show:
-
Pesticide
product applications at 80 per cent completed on time, up from 77 per cent last
quarter.
-
Veterinary
product applications at 88 per cent completed on time, up from 84 per cent last
quarter.
-
Active
constituent applications at 96 per cent completed on time, up from 95 percent
in the June quarter and 82 per cent in the March quarter.
1.16
APVMA's
latest performance statistics show the authority's performance continues to
move in the right direction.
1.17
APVMA
is also investing $10.1 million over three years to modernise their information
and communications technology (ICT), which will further enable it to deliver
improved regulatory services from Armidale.
Glyphosate
1.18
Australia
has a robust system for regulating the use of agricultural chemicals, including
glyphosate. We have confidence that the APVMA will continue to regulate
agricultural chemicals using a scientific and evidence-based approach.
Senator
Barry O’Sullivan Senator Slade Brockman
Deputy
Chair
Senator for Western Australia
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