CPSU notifies dispute over inadequate consultation in Compliance

Cost cutting hits hard

ATO have continually failed to provide documentation supporting the business case that LB&I is overstaffed and top heavy. Whilst ATO deny that budget cuts to funding for hundreds of positions in Compliance are behind this ‘slash and burn’ approach in LB&I, it is clear that members aren’t buying it.

Members in LB&I, many of whom have been with ATO for over 20 years and in LB&I for long periods, are perplexed at the reasoning, or lack thereof, provided by ATO for slashing so hard and deep in a critical area of the ATO. Some members are commenting that if big business were running the ATO, this is exactly what they would do to the part of the ATO that audits and enforces their taxation obligations.

Dispute notified

Members are seeking full compliance with ATO’s obligations to consult over significant changes including:

1. Copies of business cases for the proposed reviews
2. Consultation process and timeframes with CPSU and affected members prior to implementation.
3. OH&S risk assessments
4. Staff impact documents
5. Work and job design and business redesign
6. Capability assessment undertaken to ensure staff have the skills to do the work
7. Expected productivity gains.
8. Redundancies anticipated from any review.

We have called on ATO to cease and desist with implementation on these matters until this dispute is resolved. Further updates will be provided to members as this dispute progresses.

What can you do?

• Let us know if you are satisfied with the level of consultation in your area and raise any concerns by emailing taxmembers@cpsu.org.au (please identify your site and business line).
• Get involved with the CUTS HURT campaign and take a look at the website www.cutshurt.com.au 
• Share this information your workmates. Ask a non-member workmate to help build greater workplace strength by joining securely online