MEDIA RELEASE
A proposal to cut staff by 30 percent in Family and Community Services as part of a $70 million a year slashing of the Department’s budget makes a mockery of the Baird Government’s alleged commitment to the most disadvantaged in our society says the Public Service Association (PSA).
The job cuts which are reported in today’s Sydney Morning Herald will only increase the already crushing administrative burden on child protection caseworkers, disability workers and other vital hands on staff who rely upon quality backup staff for the smooth operations of these essential services.
“The Government simply cannot cut 30 percent of staff and protect and assist those in need,” said Acting PSA General Secretary, Steve Turner.
“All jobs in Family and Community Services are vital and removing any staff will impact directly on the provision of such services as face to face contact by Child Protection Workers with vulnerable children.”
“These visits at the moment are unfortunately only possible with one in four vulnerable children. With the proposed cuts, that ratio will blow out dramatically.”
“These cuts will have tragic consequences, consequences that the PSA has been fearing and warning the Government of for years. ”
“It’s like cutting nurses from operating theatres or radio operators from police work. Doctors and police would have to do the work of those who are no longer there.”
“If anyone in our community is entitled to first class service surely it is vulnerable children and those people with disabilities who require skilled assistance to meet the challenges they face each day.”
“Yet this Government has made a clear strategic decision to make the already stressed working lives of those who provide expert care and protection to those in great need even more difficult by increasing their paperwork and admin functions.”
“Is this really the sort of state we want? Where the truly needy can’t get proper care or assistance because of filing and photocopying?”