Page 739 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 5 April 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
MS BERRY: Madam Speaker, seriously, how can I possibly respond to the question?
MADAM SPEAKER: There will be no more commentary from either side of the chamber, please.
Transport Canberra—female bus drivers
MS CLAY: My question is to the Minister for Transport and City Services. Minister, the ACT government agreed to PTCS committee recommendation 13 from the 2020-21 annual reports hearings. The ACT government said:
Transport Canberra is actively discussing possible options to enhance access to and provide opportunities for attracting and retaining more female bus drivers. This includes consideration of the relevant recruitment channels, community stakeholder groups, employment programs and workplace requirements, as well as the efficacy of identified positions, programs and targets and related policy.
Could you give me an update on where this work is up to?
MR STEEL: I thank Ms Clay for her interest in this matter. Whilst COVID-19 has affected the recruitment of a number of positions across the ACT government, it has also affected the recruitment of bus drivers—and particularly the efforts of Transport Canberra in trying to attract a more diverse workforce. As a result, we have seen an increase of only one per cent in the number of female staff members at Transport Canberra, but we have a recruitment campaign that is underway to attract more drivers and particularly drivers who are women. There are a range of different benefits to working for Transport Canberra. It is a role that is suitable for people who are looking to earn money on weekends, to work flexibly. It provides a range of different training opportunities for people. Customer service is a big focus, so we are trying to attract people who have that particular focus to serve the very diverse community that Transport Canberra carries every day.
A range of materials have gone out. I will table one of those, which is a feature in HerCanberra:
“My mum was a bus driver. Yours (or any woman you know) could be too”—Copy of article from HerCanberra, posted on 1 April 2022.
I am not putting Jane Steel up for the role, but I am sure that many people will be interested in joining Transport Canberra during this campaign.
MS CLAY: What is the breakdown of the number of bus operators by gender and by employment category, such as casual, part time or full time?
MR STEEL: The headcount for Transport Canberra as at 16 February 2022 was 101 female bus operators. There were 18 casual, 82 permanent and one temporary. A range of roles and different working hours are available for people who want to join Transport Canberra.
MR BRADDOCK: Minister, how is Transport Canberra and City Services supporting cultural and linguistic diversity in the employment of bus drivers?
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video