Public servants have been warned they could breach their conditions of employment by making political comments during the Turnbull government's postal plebiscite on same-sex marriage.
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A week after the Australian Public Service Commission issued a new social media guidance for federal government employees, the main public service union has told its members to be careful in posting opinions on websites including Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
"Marriage equality is an important community issue and APS workers have the right as Australian citizens to comment and engage around the issue on social media," Community and Public Sector Union national secretary Nadine Flood told members.
"People working in agencies directly involved with the postal plebiscite, such as ABS and AEC, are also free to comment but should avoid criticism of their agency's capacity to carry out the plebiscite, or of the minister or Prime Minister in making that decision.
"Even then, they can share CPSU communications about industrial concerns with the plebiscite, for example if there are health and safety issues for employees undertaking the work."
Ms Flood said the controversial social media guidance, which drew criticism from Labor, the Greens and digital rights campaigners, did not change fundamental rights and responsibilities of public servants and did not change the right of anyone to participate in public and political debate.
Asked how the unusual nature of the non-compulsory, non-binding postal survey would impact public servants, Mr Lloyd issued a short statement to Fairfax Media.
"In relation to the postal vote on same-sex marriage, public servants should continue to act in accordance with the APS values, participating in normal public debate in a way which is respectful, courteous, and impartial," he said.
The warnings follow an email to ABC employees last week, reminding journalists not to voice their opinions about same-sex marriage.
The ABC's editorial policy manager Mark Maley used an ABC-wide email to say about 40 per cent of Australians oppose changing the marriage laws and the national broadcaster "does not have a position on the issue".
"It is very important that we are impartial and that all perspectives are given a fair hearing and treated with respect by the ABC," he said.
Last week's social media guidance said public servants could breach the APS Code of Conduct by criticising the government, by "liking" posts on Facebook or Twitter or by sharing negative information or comments in private emails.
Labor is likely to back special laws to set the ground rules for public debate in the plebiscite campaign, including protections against malicious publication and bribery, needed because normal election laws don't apply.
On Monday, acting Special Minister of State Mathias Cormann ruled out an advertising black out period before the November deadline for return of postal ballots.
