The Queensland Government is implementing a new payroll model in response to the Auditor General’s report, handed down on the June 29, on the Queensland Health payroll fiasco.
The key recommendation of the report was for Queensland Health to reconsider its business model to determine the most "effective and efficient strategy" to deliver payroll services.
In responding to the report, the Government claimed it had adopted all of its recommendations, and would additionally implement a dedicated pay hub to service every hospital by 30 September.
Commenting on the announcement, Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, Paul Lucas, said the Government was looking at the payroll applications closely to ensure the appropriate software had been chosen for Queensland Health’s needs.
"We have taken steps under the Government's contract with IBM to hold that company accountable for its performance,” Lucas said in a statement. "We have commenced a review of the shared services delivery model, including the on-going role of Corptech.”
Lucas said there was now a focus on a new structure and new personnel with leadership by Queensland Health’s deputy director-general corporate services, Michael Walsh.
"We have commenced rolling out a new, direct, personalised support service for staff who are experiencing problems with their pay," he said.
Lucas said a 'Pay Hotline' could provide advice to Queensland Health employees on matters ranging from underpays through to tax and super queries.
"As the personalised model rolls out across the State, Queensland Health staff can make appointments with payroll hub staff to go over their documentation and work through any complex issues,” he said.
According to Lucas, the new payroll model has already been trialled in Brisbane and Townsville and consultation with staff and unions on details of the model had led to its implementation across the state.
"There's still work to be done to deliver the world class pay system Queensland Health staff deserve, but one month after the new regionalised model was announced, the results are promising," he said.
The Auditor General's report also called for the Queensland Government Chief Information Office program and project management methodologies to be rigorously applied for the development and implementation of all new information system programs.
It also recommended that Information technology security risk assessment, mitigation strategies and control mechanisms be documented and implemented at the agency level and co-ordinated at the whole of government level through the recently established information security committee.