Government advertises position for replacement Sandhurst Centre provider

RELATED: Sandhurst tender fast-tracked

RELATED: Sandhurst staff call for certainty

THE Victorian government has advertised the tender for the accommodation homes that will replace the Sandhurst Centre.

Organisations will be able to apply for the tender until October 17, when applications close.

The tender is for the service provider that will manage new accommodation homes to replace the Sandhurst Centre - one of two remaining government-run institutions for people with disabilities.

Community Services Minister Mary Wooldridge announced the tender was being fast-tracked in August, which the Health and Community Services Union said was politically motivated.

Ms Wooldridge said she was pleased the Fair Work Commission had given the government the green light to proceed with the procurement process.

“With the tender to be completed in October this year, existing Sandhurst staff will know which organisations will be providing services to the residents of Sandhurst," she said.

"Recruitment processes for the new provider will then commence in November and conclude in January."

The government tender will require that the new service providers prioritises the recruitment of existing Sandhurst employees at terms no less favourable than their current terms, as well as transferring any accumulated entitlements such as annual leave, sick leave and long service leave.

“We remain committed to working with each and every staff member and with the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) through this process,” Ms Wooldridge said.

A union spokesman said the government was trying to "ram through" the tender before the election.

"This whole thing is absolute political spin," he said.

"It's all about getting this done before the election."

Member for Bendigo Jacinta Allan said the decision to speed-up the tender process was "heartless".

"Rather than giving Sandhurst residents and their guardians a real choice in November, Denis Napthine is taking this away," she said.

"Only Labor will give Sandhurst residents the choice to stay in public facilities with the carers they know and trust."