Your rights and responsibilities during an election
20 July 2010, 9:50am
Now that the Federal Election has been called a number of CPSU members have asked us how their involvement in the election campaign sits with their responsibilities as public servants.
APSC Guidelines
Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) guidelines: "It is quite acceptable for APS employees to participate in political activities as part of normal community affairs." The only exception is if you work in the Australian Electoral Commission.
Conflicts of interest
However APS employees are expected to "separate their personal views on policy issues from the performance of their official duties... Where an APS employee is involved in publicly promoting party or other views on certain issues, and where their duties are directly concerned with advising on or directing the implementation or administration of government policy on those issues, there is potential for conflicts of interest."
If you are concerned, discuss the situation with your manager and contact the union.
What you can do
In their own time union members are free to do any of the following: Community activities
attend political rallies or functions in your community
display campaign posters on your property
letterboxing, door-knocking and other volunteer campaign work
handing out how-to-votes on election day
Workplace activities
attend union meetings
distribute authorised union material to workmates
discuss union issues with colleagues
receive and read union information and emails
Campaign work
Any employee wishing to take leave (paid or unpaid) to work on the campaign should obtain approval from their agency in the usual manner.
What you can't do
Members should never:
campaign during work time
behave in a way that infers that your campaigning is a part of your official duties or your employer supports your political views.
More information
If you require clarification on any of these matters or feel you are being unfairly treated at work in relation to expressing your democratic rights, please contact the CPSU immediately on 1300 137 636. Read the APSC guidelines here.
Get involved
If you are interested in the campaign for rights at work in your community, call us on 1300 137 636 or visit www.cpsu.org.au
