PSA News 22 September 2016
Rally against the Secret Sell Off
More than 400 PSA members from just some of the areas impacted by the Baird Government’s mass privatisation agenda braved the rain and rallied outside Parliament House on 21 September.
The highlight of the rally was “Moneybags Mike” who ruthlessly auctioned off various vital public services such as TAFE, ADHC, Sport and Recreation along with Land and Property Information.
You can see photos from the rally HERE.
The rally received extensive media coverage.
PSA membership
Despite unprecendented attacks on public service jobs, it is pleasing to note PSA membership has increased in areas where there have not been job losses. For example:
| June 2012 | June 2016 | |
| Prison officers | 3347 | 3590 |
| School admin support staff | 7249 | 7280 |
PSA media campaign continues
In 2014, broadcaster Jane Caro, launched the PSA’s first ever advertising campaign to highlight the importance of the work PSA members do.
This campaign was on TV, in movie theatres and online.
This, for the first time, raised the profile of PSA members, the people who keep the state of NSW running. A new phase of the campaign has commenced.
To hear the PSA ad currently on radio throughout NSW, click HERE.
To see one of the billboards, which is now on the Harbour Bridge approach click HERE.
Please share the campaign website and sign the petition click HERE.
Encourage your friends and family to also sign and share the petition HERE.
PSA warned Minister about foster crisis
On 22 September, the Daily Telegraph ran a front-page story about a tragic incident in foster care.
The PSA wrote to Family and Community Services Minister Brad Hazzard more than a year ago warning of the many issues arising in the privately run foster care system.
Minister Hazzard’s response was disingenuous, claiming there were no issues – in fact he was: “ …proud of the improvement in the care of our most vulnerable children.”
Today, the PSA Assistant General Secretary was interviewed by the media and said the Minister can no longer claim he was unaware.
“Again lack of regulation and oversight of these private operators has led to shocking abuses and yet the Baird Government intends to outsource further, without fixing the problem,” he said.
“We know these NGOs are not looking for kinship arrangements for these Aboriginal children and we know we are running into another ‘Stolen Generation’.”
The matter also highlighted once again the need for accountability of non-Government organisations rather than further outsourcing. It also showed the need for “follow the money” powers for proper financial scrutiny.
In short, Stop The Secret Sell Off!
PSA members take a leading role in People’s Inquiry into Privatisation
The Turnbull Government has directed the Productivity Commission to conduct an inquiry into how to further privatise our public services.
For that reason, the PSA is working with Public Services International and the ACTU and is leading the charge in the People’s Inquiry into Privatisation and its impact in NSW.
The inquiry is travelling the country from 5 September until 27 October 2016.
The PSA is finalising a formal written submission to the Inquiry.
Corrective Services teachers go on strike
The PSA supported teachers who work in NSW prisons when they took 24-hour strike action on 14 September, to protest the abolition and outsourcing of the qualified teaching workforce in Corrective Services.
PSA members attended the Teacher’s Federation protest rally outside Parliament House in Sydney.
Trustee & Guardian workers strike over job cuts and office closures
Workers at the Office of Trustee and Guardian statewide walked off the job for two hours on 8 September over proposed job cuts and office closures that will impact heavily in regional areas, on tens of thousands of families and our ageing population.
Staff and the PSA are working with the broader community against this.
