annual report 2012 – 13 - Australian Government Solicitor

AGS at workAndrew DillonRichard HardingFiona Dempsey Leah Edwards Damien O’Donovan Rodger PrinceEmployment law activitiesAGS has acted for a large number of Commonwealth agencies in employment and workplacerelations disputes, such as unfair dismissal actions, general protections claims and workplacebargaining disputes. Our lawyers have had critical input into all of the major workplace relationsreform initiatives over the last 2 decades.We continue to be a leader in advising on machinery-of-government changes. Across 2012–13 weadvised on the employment arrangements for a range of newly established APS agencies, such asthe National Health Funding Body, and advised the Wheat Export Authority on the process andentitlements for its staff as that agency was being wound-up.Within the employment law field, probably the single largest issue that our OGC lawyersadvised on in 2012–13 was work health and safety. Due to the unique structure andgovernance arrangements of the Commonwealth, model laws are not always easy to apply toCommonwealth agencies. We assisted clients to navigate some very complex issues in orderto sensibly and practically apply the model laws to their activities.In addition to advice and representation in specific matters, during the year AGS continued toactively help agencies to stay informed of the latest developments in employment law, anddevelop their skills and knowledge in this critical area of government operations.Employment Law ForumOur annual Employment Law Forum was held in Canberra in October 2012 with more than130 participants. Highlights of the forum included a substantial segment on the meaning of‘reasonable administrative action’ under the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act(a similar term is soon to be included in the Fair Work Act); a presentation given by Andrew Dillon(Senior General Counsel) on preparing persuasive ‘reasonable administrative action’ submissions;a session by Richard Harding (Special Counsel Dispute Resolution) on the High Court’s decision inBarclay; and presentations by senior officials from the Federal Court of Australia.Free seminars and publicationsDuring the year we assisted clients by providing information about and analysis of 2 significantreform initiatives that will affect their approach to employment law.Amendments to the Public Service Act 1999 came into effect on 1 July 2013 and made a number offairly significant changes to employment arrangements in the APS. In February 2013 we publishedan Express law (electronic bulletin) for clients informing them about the amendments. Topicscovered included the new Values and Employment Principles, amendments to the Code32 AGS Annual report 2012–13