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Question and Answer Tracking Details

5101 - Education and Early Childhood Learning - PUBLIC SERVICE SENIOR EXECUTIVES REMUNERATION AND REDUNDANCIES

Mookhey, Daniel to the Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning

In the Department of Education:

(1) How many public service senior executive (PSSE) redundancies were made in the 2020-21 financial year? Please provide a break-down by PSSE band.

(2) What was the total pre-tax amount paid in redundancies, including redundancy payments and accrued entitlements, to PSSE staff in 2020-21 financial year? Please provide a total for each PSSE band.

(3) What was the mean total remuneration package for each PSSE band as at 1 September 2020?

(4) What was the mean total remuneration package for each PSSE band as at 1 March 2021?

 

Answer -

On 21 September 2020, the Department of Education transitioned to a new structure that places school improvement and skills reform at the centre and provides greater clarity of ownership and accountability for senior leaders.

A rigorous and independent selection and placement process was designed and implemented to place executives into roles in the new structure. Seventeen Public Service Senior Executives (PSSE) Band 2 and Band 1 staff were deemed not suitable for a role in the new structure and their employment was terminated, consistent with the relevant provisions of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013.

In addition to these terminations, three Deputy Secretaries (Band 3) were terminated in July 2020 prior to the above process while an interim structure was put in place. Four additional terminations occurred during the period 2020/21 (three Band 2 and one Band 1).

(1) For the 2020-21 financial year to 5 March 2021, a total of 24 Public Service Senior Executives were terminated under section 41 of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013. This includes one Band 2 role that was terminated during probation under section 41 of the Government Sector Employment Act 2013 which was characterised as a resignation by agreement between the parties and referenced as such by the Chief People Officer during the Budget Estimates hearing on March 2021.

Band 1 - 13

Band 2 - 8

Band 3 - 3

Total - 24

(2) For the 2020-21 financial year to 5 March 2021, the total pre-tax amount paid on termination to PSSE employees, consisting of compensation for termination under Regulation 39 of the GSE Regulations and accrued leave entitlements, was $7,239,950 (rounded to nearest dollar).

Band; Compensation for termination;

Total Paid - 0; Total - & #160; 60; & #160; (compensation + accrued entitlements)

Band 1 - & #160; $2,084,552 - 0; $3,052,615 - 0; 13

Band 2 - & #160; $1,613,772 - 0; $2,768,109 - 0; 8

Band 3 - & #160; $996,427; $1,419,226 - 0; 3

Grand Total - $4,694,751 - 0; $7,239,950 - 0; 24

(3) The mean total remuneration package for each PSSE band as at 1 September 2020.

Band - & #160; Mean-Midpoint of Range

Band 1 - $237,688

Band 2 - $307,312

Band 3 - $409,461

Band 4 - $524,851

(4) The mean total remuneration package for each PSSE band as at 1 March 2021.

Band - Mean-Midpoint of Range

Band 1 - $236,435

Band 2 - $310,780

Band 3 - $405,701

Band 4 - $524,851

 


Question asked on 5 March 2021 (session 57-1) and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 450
Answer received on 26 March 2021 and published in Questions & Answers Paper No. 465