In Estimates hearings yesterday, Canberra Liberals MLA Nicole Lawder, Shadow Minister for City Services, expressed her alarm over extensive redactions in the 2023 Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate (TCCS) staff survey results. These results, requested under Freedom of Information, related to bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, violence, aggression, corruption, and misconduct.
The TCCS stated that the redactions were made to protect staff privacy, and were in accordance with legislative requirements and public interest tests.
Five reports from the 2023 TCCS staff survey, conducted by Orina, were partially released. The Directorate level report disclosed statistical data about bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, violence, aggression, corruption, and misconduct, but specific group-level data was redacted to prevent identifying individuals.
Surveys from 2021 and 2022, undertaken by BPA Analytics, redacted information that was commercially sensitive, personally identifiable, or which might have identified a staff member.
“Release of information under FOI must meet legislative criteria and the public interest test, and each matter is considered on a case-by-case basis against the legislation,” a spokesperson said.
Ms Lawder said the Canberra Liberals were not seeking any personal or private information, and that there was no justification for such extensive redactions unless there was something to conceal.
“What are they trying to hide? Ms Lawder asked.
“The public deserves transparency, especially when it comes to issues as serious as workplace misconduct.
“These redactions only serve to undermine trust in the Labor-Greens Government and the way it handles these issues, and the Minister [Tara Cheyne] was unable to come up with a reasonable explanation when asked today.
“It is very concerning and mirrors a similar incident from October 2023, when the ACT Ombudsman overturned a Freedom of Information decision by ACT Health.”
On that occasion, Shadow Health Minister Leanne Castley requested the review after ACT Health heavily redacted an FOI request for a staff survey of its Digital Solutions Division.
While the government released positive commentary, it withheld all negative material, leading to public outcry and accusations of a lack of transparency. The full survey revealed “an absolute horror story”, Ms Castley said.
Of the survey results that were released to Ms Lawder, more than one in four TCCS staff members said time pressure was unrealistic, and they did not have enough time during work hours to do their job effectively.
“Staff in City Services should be better supported and resourced to undertake their important work in keeping our city safe, clean, accessible and attractive,” Ms Lawder said.
