The Community Action Party believes that the ACT Government has a significant role to play in promoting a diverse range of employment opportunities and best-practice working conditions in the ACT.
Although the ACT has a low unemployment rate relative to the national average, it also has a high cost of living. In addition, skills shortages are severe in some areas and, with an ageing population, ACT workforce participation rates are declining. The Party supports the development of a comprehensive strategic plan to address the employment needs of the ACT.
Working conditions
The Party believes that family-friendly and community-friendly employment policies should be operating in every ACT workplace.
In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the Party supports the shift to permanent working from home arrangements wherever practical and desirable.
The Party will work to prevent all forms of employment and wage discrimination and introduce measures to eliminate exploitation of inappropriate employment practices.
The Party supports improved income and job security for workers, including permanent part-time employment.
The Party supports enforcement of good practice workplace safety.
The Party will introduce measures to help reduce hurdles for retirees, parents, carers and others to return to qualified work if desired.
The Party supports encouraging retired managers to mentor less experienced staff.
The Party supports practical guidelines and help for people who have lost their jobs, for example, by funding a community based career guidance organisation like DOME (Don't Overlook Mature Expertise, SA).
Public sector employment
The Party supports an ACT Government employment policy that ensures services are delivered to a consistently high standard.
The Party supports the decentralisation of government activities to redirect employment opportunities from Civic to Gungahlin and other town centres.
The Party supports job sharing and job swapping within the public service so that people can more easily work in the town centre nearest to home.
The Party believes that the ACT Government should encourage employment of people with disabilities, Indigenous people, and older people.
Private sector employment
The Party recognises that the private sector is now the largest employer in the ACT and the Government needs to work with the ACT business community to ensure that they are supported in maintaining employment and training opportunities for those entering the workforce, changing jobs, or moving towards retirement.
The Party believes that where Government assistance is offered to business, they should be businesses that will encourage long term employment stability in the ACT.