GOVERNMENT WHISTLEBLOWERS VICTIMIZED -- AS USUAL

Two security guards who blew the whistle on pornography screenings at QBuild's protective service have been paid to stay home for up to a year to avoid retribution. Now the Queensland Government has ordered the guards to undergo psychiatric testing under Section 85 of the Public Service Act, a move they fear will lead to their sackings. "If they would remove the managers and the other people who were using the pornography and gazetted an apology to us, we'd be back tomorrow," said one of the guards, David Schneider. Industrial law consultant Susan Moriarty said Section 85 was used to victimise public service employees, especially whistleblowers. "I'm still looking for my first client who hasn't had a pre-existing dispute with their departments," she said.

Complaints by Mr Schneider and security officer Steve Rose prompted a CMC investigation last year into on-the-job pornography viewing and distribution at Mineral House. The allegations were confirmed when e-mail accounts were examined. "The inspection revealed the existence of inappropriate and pornographic material/images in a number of accounts," said the CMC, which referred further investigation to the Department of Public Works.

The guards said they were bullied and threatened by staff and supervisors who still worked for the department, some of whom had been promoted. The guards have been on partial-pay stress leave for several months after they reportedly were threatened and harassed at work. In the meantime, the Government will not confirm what disciplinary action has been taken against the nine people accused. Public Works director-general Mal Grierson said an investigation was completed, but disciplinary recommendations had not been implemented because due process had to be followed with the accused. He denied they had been promoted. The CMC, which is overseeing the department's investigation, said only that it was "ongoing".

Ms Moriarty said it was unfair for the Government to force the guards to take the mandatory psychiatric tests before the department had reported to the CMC. "That's unbelievable," she said.

The guards say their safety was put in jeopardy by the porn-viewers because they are supposed to be alert to alarms and provide back-up for security in the field. "We were doing what we were supposed to be doing, and they were watching dirty movies," Mr Rose said. "Now we are the ones being punished with Section 85s."

Mr Grierson said the assessments were routine for workers who had been absent for a long time..... Mr Grierson said he could not control the actions of workers, but harassment in the workplace would not be tolerated.

Mr Rose remained sceptical. "Of course they'd say that, but why didn't they do that from the start?" he said. "All the people who wrote false memos and told lies, they've all been paid off with promotions. We've lost everything. I've had to put my house up for sale." ....

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the workers had been abandoned by Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten and the CMC. "These workers have been subjected to institutional abuse, apparently with the full support of senior management," he said. "Once again we see the victimisation of the messengers and a pig-headed failure to address the reality. "This is just what we saw in the Health Department, and the Department of Public Works is carrying on the Beattie Government tradition."

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