The premiers of New South Wales and Victoria have again come under heavy criticism of each other over their work-from-home policies.
The row between Labor Party leaders arose after New South Wales Premier Chris Minns ordered all government workers to return to the office full-time the following day on Monday.
The shocking abolition of flexible working conditions that were in place four years ago at the start of the Covid lockdowns led to a huge backlash from staff
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan sparked a row with her interstate counterpart by urging angry New South Wales staff to relocate south of the border.
Mr Minns criticised her comments, after which Ms Allan reignited the row between the two leaders on Wednesday by reiterating her position that she would welcome NSW government staff with open arms.
Premier Allan called Mr Minns’ new guidance outdated, as it was later clarified that employees would only have to come into the office three days a week. This rule also applies to civil servants in Victoria.
“Let me be clear: I have no plans to change the flexible working arrangements for the Victorian public service,” Premier Allan told reporters in Melbourne.
‘And it seems Chris Minns doesn’t do that either, and NSW doesn’t either. It seems we have pretty much the same flexible policies when it comes to our public service delivery.
NSW government workers have been ordered to return to their offices from Tuesday
Chris Minns (pictured) hit out at criticism from Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, saying: “I would have thought, quite frankly, with all the lockdowns in Melbourne, that a lot of people in Victoria would be desperate to get out of their homes.”
“This is important because this is an outcome that keeps women and men connected to their workforce, to their families and to their communities.
‘So we are keeping these flexible arrangements in place, and it looks like that will happen in New South Wales as well.’
Queensland Labor Party member Steven Miles then waded into the controversy when he revealed he too will not force government workers to return to the office full-time.
“I have no plans at this time to change the current arrangements,” he said.
“I understand that NSW is in a slightly different position to Queensland. Our economy remains strong. Our CBD has come back stronger.”
The Queensland government is also trying to save money on office space, which was detailed in Finance Minister Cameron Dick’s budget ahead of the upcoming election.
Mr Minns responded strongly to Ms Allan on Tuesday after her initial comments.
“I’ve seen the Victorian Government criticise NSW for this change. We’re not in favour of change. We think it’s important for public service delivery in NSW,” he said.
“And honestly, I would have thought that with all the lockdowns in Melbourne, a lot of people in Victoria would be desperate to get out of their homes, but that’s their business.”
Jacinta Allan (pictured) encouraged disgruntled NSW workers to move to Victoria and work for her government
The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of government workers working in a decent office environment.
“You can’t be a nurse in your tracksuit in your living room and you can’t teach in your backyard while doing chores around the house,” Mr Minns said.
“You have to be present and available. That’s a reflection of the nature of public service and working for the taxpayers of the state.”
Several disappointed New South Wales government employees took to social media to express their disappointment at Mr Minns’ demands.
“If this happens we need to make a concerted effort to offer ready-made lunches and boycott the venues in the CBD,” one said.
Another said the government “can force staff to come to the city” but “cannot force them to buy things, coffee, lunch etc. or to be vibrant”.
NSW government workers who don’t want to go to the office five days a week have been urged to move south of the border. Pictured is a deserted Sydney CBD
Ms Allan urged disgruntled New South Wales staff to consider moving to Victoria.
“Anyone who has even a little bit of concern about what’s happening in NSW is more than welcome to come and work for us here in Victoria,” she said.
“We have a big plan: we’re building more homes, we’re building the Suburban Rail Loop, and we’re working on issues that matter to families. They’re welcome to join us in the effort.”
The memo to NSW staff on Monday warned that the agency will “implement a policy that ensures all staff work primarily in an approved workstation, office or related workstation and that attendance is spread across all days of the working week”.
Some employees could be exempted from the rule, but they would be subject to “formal approvals and agreements” and would be required to keep a record of “the reasons and circumstances.”