Late yesterday, representatives from the Federal Government Department of Finance – Ministerial and Parliamentary Services (MaPS) contacted the USU/ASU about the underpayment of Electorate Officers’ salary entitlements going back at least 4 years.

The USU/ASU has sought more detailed advice from MaPS and will be reviewing the matter with members.

Wage theft is unacceptable

  • About 1,000 Electorate Officers across Australia are affected by the underpayments.
  • The cost to government will be about $500,000.
  • Increases to the hourly rates of the underpinning Australian Government Industry Award 2016 that took effect in 2020, have left employees at the EOA-01 or EOA-02 level in your MOP(S) Act Enterprise Agreementworse off than if you were paid in accordance with the award.
  • The government’s payroll system will be updated by 15 April and affected Electorate Officers will start to be paid their minimum hourly rate for pay cycles commencing on or after 1 April 2021.
  • MaPS must audit the pay of all EOA-01 and EOA-02 staff employed over the past four years, including former employees to ensure further underpayments will be identified and back paid.
  • KPMG have been engaged to certify all payments to staff are correct.

It is estimated that the required audit can be completed and back pay will finalised by the end of the current financial year.

USU/ASU members deserve better

The USU/ASU have been saying that MaPS is not properly equipped to deal with serious complaints and complex disputes procedures.

It is difficult not to believe that this is a new example of incompetent governance from a Federal Government department.

MoPS staff must be able to be confident that the Federal Government will do the right thing and deliver on minimum workplace standards like wage and salary entitlements.

What’s next?

The USU/ASU will continue to seek further explanation for how a systematic failure has caused the Federal Government to pay people incorrectly for so long.

We will also work with USU/ASU members to ensure that all issues are identified and dealt with, as well as keep you up to date on the progress of discussions with MaPS.

Not a member?

If you are not yet an member you can join here: www.usu.org.au/join

Got a question?

If you are affected by the current underpayment matter and have questions or concerns, contact Mick Jones on mjones@usu.org.au for further assistance and support.