NSW Govt flags Victoria-style dismantling of TAFE

The NSW Government's flagged reforms to the TAFE system will undermine quality skills training and lead to a proliferation of shonky private operators, the Community and Public Sector Union warned today. The Government's endorsement of measures outlined in the Public Sector Commission of Audit released last week will see TAFE institutes underfunded in favour of private training companies in the name of greater competition. "The…

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O'Farrell takes axe to shift penalties, carers' leave, remote living allowances

Hundreds of thousands of public sector workers face losing access to shift penalties, carers’ leave and allowances for living in remote areas under award changes proposed by the NSW Government, says the Public Service Association of NSW.  The government has proposed radical cuts to conditions, including:  Winding back provisions for carers; Cutting penalty payments for shift workers; Cutting allowances for workers in remote locations; Cutting…

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Use of force in prisons: job numbers critical

The NSW Ombudsman’s review into the use of force in the state’s prisons contains useful recommendations, but ignores the critical issue – job numbers, the NSW Public Service Association says. The NSW Public Service Association has welcomed the NSW Ombudsman's review of policy and practice around the use of force in the state's prisons, particularly recommendations for better prison officer training and improvements in CCTV…

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NSW Budget declares open season on NSW jobs, services

The NSW Government must come clean on which jobs and services will be cut after today delivering a budget that takes an axe to the public sector, the NSW Public Service Association said today. "Treasurer Mike Baird promised today's budget would deliver smaller government - that's simply code for selling off assets, outsourcing our trusted institutions and cutting jobs and services," said PSA General Secretary…

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Water regulation set adrift as State Government cuts Office of Water jobs

The NSW Government has announced a ‘change management plan’ that will slash 10% of specialist staff responsible for implementing the Murray-Darling Basin Plan and managing the state’s groundwater resources, according to the Public Service Association of NSW. The NSW Office of Water told staff last week it would cut 50 jobs, while creating a new layer of management that includes three additional Deputy Commissioners. Regional…

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