Due to the impact of COVID, and then floods occurring in Northern NSW, the Commissioned Officers Branch delayed their Forum and instead held an online Forum via Microsoft Teams on Monday 28 February. Eleven Branch Officials from across the State, along with Senior Managers and the CPO PANSW team met to discuss issues impacting the Commissioned Officer rank including policy updates.
The Forum was opened by President Tony King and Branch Chair David Cooper covering several topics:
Optional Disengagement: PANSW staff provided updates of the scheme along with advice that the Commissioned Officer contract dates would coincide with the ODS last day of service enabling Commissioned Officers to receive a pro-rata payment of their NRB.
Mandatory Disease Testing legislation: Update on the legislation and process through the Government to have it commence.
Conference 2022: Elections had commenced and nominations for Conference 2022 were closing on 28 February. Reminder for all members that any motions to be heard need to be accepted by PANSW before 22 April (30 days) and 24 March (60 days) for rule changes.
Promotions review: Members received a detailed briefing on the 12-month promotions review that was recently conducted including the PANSW providing feedback as part of the review conducted by Ernst and Young. Whilst not covered in the review, the Branch had an open discussion regarding issues they or other CPOB members had identified being a part of the process as an applicant or being on a selection committee. There was also a discussion regarding data relating to mobility applications for Commissioned Officers.
Uniform review – PANSW provided an update that we were hopeful the new Commissioner would decide on uniform shortly.
OIC position – this has been tabled for some time, with PANSW requesting with Branch support that the OIC role be evaluated and converted to an SRD position, like every other position across the State. PANSW is waiting for the newly appointed DCoP Regional to commence to raise this issue again.
Commissioned Officers Dinner – 5 August 2022 Olympic Park
We are hopeful that the Commissioned Officers dinner will be happening on Friday 5 August 2022. A decision was made in 2020 to move the dinner out to Olympic Park. Unfortunately due to COVID, this dinner has been canceled three times. We are looking forward to this event occurring and will be advertising details of the event and options to attend within the next month. Please keep an eye open on communications from PANSW advertising this event, we would love to see as many Commissioned Officers present as possible.
Any further information on the Forum, or Commissioned Officer entitlements can be directed to Jon Goddard, Lead Organiser, or Rebecca Neil, Senior Industrial Officer at the PANSW office on 9265 6777.