Couples’ counselling cost

Taxpayers footing the bill for public servants’ relationship therapy

COUPLES counselling is being dolled out for free to Victorian public servants whose relationships are on the rocks.

Psychologists and social workers are on hand for relationship counselling, family therapy and parenting advice.

The scheme, funded by taxpayers, even allows bureau- crats to bring their immediate family, including parents, partners and children, to confidential counselling sessions.

The government has defended the “employee assistance programs” — run by departments across the public service — as a way to keep staff “healthy and productive”.

But Opposition Treasurer Michael O’Brien said Victorians were under enough finan- cial pressure without having to cover the cost of sorting out bureaucrats’ relationships.

“Most families would be shocked to find that their taxes are paying for the private lives of public servants,” he said.

“That is not what people expect to be paying for.”

As well as offering couples therapy, the Department of Health and Humans Services is looking to provide psycho- logical support for staffers suffering through separation or divorce.

Victoria’s departments of Education and Training, Justice and Premier and Cabinet are among those that offer staff counselling services. Each department administer and pays for its own program separately.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet splashed more than $45,000 on its counsel- ling and support services last financial year.

A department spokeswoman said the service supported staff through significant events, like responding to the Bourke St tragedy, that have a “direct impact” on their health and wellbeing.

“The Victorian Government takes its duty of care to staff very seriously, and similar to other organisations, pro- vides an Employee Assistance Program to assist (public service) staff to stay healthy and productive,” she said.

“We understand that there are times when an employee’s personal circumstances can affect their employment, so the service extends to confidential support for personal crisis and trauma, anxiety and depression as well as stress management.”