Audit Dept. Staff Losses

Press, Volume C, Issue 29672, 16 November 1961, Page 17

Audit Dept. Staff Losses

Staff losses had been a regular feature in the Audit Office for many years, and it was becoming increasingly difficult for the office to carry out its statutory functions, said the Controller and Audi-tor-General (Mr A. D. Burns) to the commission. “A strong Public Service cannot be built up and maintained while outside employers can outbid the service in rates of pay and better conditions of employment.” said Mr Burns. “Losses of trained staff in the middle groups have resulted in the number of officers available for promotion to responsible positions of auditors in charge of districts or of departmental auditors falling from 33 in 1950 to six at the present date. "By reason of housing or other commitments, the availability of these six officers is restricted in nearly all cases to their district headquarters.

“These losses are incurred mainly because audit-trained staff are eagerly sought after by local authorities and produce boards, which are subject to our audit and by private employers. “Since April 1, 1956, losses to local authorities total 35, and 13 to other employers,” he said.

“These losses are substantial in relation to a total staff of 220. but the position is worse than it appears, as the burden falls almost entirely on the steadily-reduced group of trained and experienced officers." The Audit Office was losing

staff to its clients because of higher salaries, less travelling, ability to transfer superannuation rights, better retiring privileges, avoidance of transfers for promotion, and the need to qualify by examination to command the many responsible positions in audit. To meet these difficulties the Audit Office suggested) Superannuation benefits should not be universally transferable from the Public Service to local authority or other types of service. Retiring leave disparities should not exist. A local authority official should not command on retirement, as some did, twice or three times what his Public Service equal was entitled to. Incentive bonuses should be available on the completion of so many years’ service. Examination incentive bonuses on completion of a qualification should be higher.