Should bosses have the right to test all workers for drugs?

A western Sydney council’s decision to implement a new drug and alcohol testing program for its employees has sparked national debate on whether the policy should apply to all Australian workplaces.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali has defended the new program, which begins on July 1 and will see a random selection of 20 employees tested for trace levels of drugs.

Workers will also be breath-tested for alcohol.

The process of drug-testing employees has been happening on construction sites for a long time, but Cr Bali argues it is also important in other areas.

“Particularly with councils, the issue is that not only is it a workplace issue, but a lot of council workers work in childcare, work in swimming pools, football fields etc, areas that directly relate to the community,” he told Sunrise.

“What we are trying to do is introduce a compassionate policy that is based on education and a random selection.

"The union will be working out with management what’s the most appropriate way but we’re talking about twenty tests a month, when there is a workforce of about 2,000 plus contractors."

But unions are concerned the program could target individuals.

“What would happen is where an individual has tested positive they would then be counseled and given an opportunity to go through a rehabilitation,” Graeme Kelly from United Services Union said.

“They would not be sacked…they would then go on to what’s called a targeted list”.

Others, including Queensland MP George Christensen, have argued any drugs-testing policies should be extended to welfare recipients and politicans.

“One, we want people who are on unemployment benefits to be work ready… and number two there is the ethical argument that should we be providing government funding to feed someone’s drug habit?” Mr Christensen told Sunrise.