Public service bosses will be in the firing line under a Labor government if they fail to run female-friendly departments.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"Blind" hiring will be mandatory for graduate and entry-level jobs in the Australian Public Service, there will be "diversity units" in all departments and the Coalition's hardline opposition to specified domestic violence leave will be shredded under the ALP's women's policy.
The opposition also wants the public service to be an example to other employers for making jobs "flexible" for women, allowing female employees to adjust work to family commitments.
The latest pitch by the ALP for public service hearts and minds comes after Labor's announcement that it would rip up the Coalition's controversial bargaining policy if it wins government.
But the Coalition says Labor is simply playing catch-up with gender equality initiatives already announced.
Labor's women's manifesto contains several APS-specific policies that would shake up long-held public service practices, including linking the career prospects of top bureaucrats to their efforts in providing female-friendly workplaces.
"The Office for Women will work with department secretaries to ensure that all public service leaders' key performance indicators specifically include diversity and inclusion as part of their performance review and promotion processes," the policy declares.
"Labor will establish women's advisory committees and diversity units in all federal government departments to set and report on gender targets for all portfolio areas.
"Each department will report back to a central unit in the Department of the Prime Minister & Cabinet."
Labor also wants to extend the success of the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which has achieved a big boost in female senior managers by using a "blind" hiring system.
"A Shorten Labor government will introduce an anonymous CV application process for new graduates and entry-level applicants for roles in the Australian Public Service," the policy states.
The opposition is promising to make life easier for public service women trying to climb the career ladder while managing family responsibilities.
"Labor believes the Australian Public Service can be a leader in providing flexible work environments for employees, without compromising job quality or conditions of employment," the policy states.
"Already the New South Wales government and the Queensland government are working towards more flexible work in their public services.
"A Shorten Labor government will immediately begin work with the Australian Public Service and the Community and Public Sector Union to investigate how we can promote more flexible working arrangements across the Australian Public Service."
There is also a pledge to consign the bitter row over domestic violence leave for public servants to the past, promising "five days' paid domestic and family violence leave in the National Employment Standards. Those who have access to the leave entitlement will retain their job and income, which gives women choice, reduces isolation, helps them to care for their children and provides them with a safe home environment".
The office of Minister for Women Michaelia Cash said the government was way ahead of Labor.
"The initiatives Labor has announced in relation to addressing unconscious bias and flexibility in the public service have previously been addressed in the recently released Balancing the Future: The Australian Public Service Gender Equality Strategy 2016-19," a spokeswoman said.
She said public servants who were victims of domestic violence had access to all the time off work they needed.
