PUBLIC SECTOR
wwwReview.cpsu.asn.au April/May 2013 More Answers Needed Leader on a range of issues specific to of the current Enterprise Agreement, the public sector in a meeting shortly which expires on June 30 next year. after his appointment. “Given South Australia’s ageing High on the agenda was discussion workforce, its difficulty in attracting of Mr Marshall’s intention to establish and retaining public sector workers an Audit Commission should the and the loss of corporate knowledge Opposition win power – an option that’s as a result of job cuts, there is no been ruled out by the Government. logical reason to remove job security,” “It’s clearly a matter of great concern Mc McMahon said. to our members, given the historical This is particularly so with new precedents,” Ms McMahon said. measures introduced by Government The Dean Brown Audit Commission dramatically reducing the number of in 1994 resulted in the slashing of jobs, excess staff by requiring Agencies to the freezing of wages and considerable employ these people ahead of employing privatisation. new staff. Now, there are current examples Premier Weatherill has agreed to being played out across the border, with attend PSA Council again in his capacity Audit Commissions resulting in the as Treasurer after his first Budget is Jan McMahon and Premier Jay Weatherill recent slashing of thousands of public handed down in June. sector jobs in Queensland and New Meanwhile the PSA will have a Addressing the meeting, Premier With the State Budget looming South Wales. further meeting with Mr Marshall to Weatherill described the public sector in June and a State election in Cuts to services and jobs in seek clarity on his policy position in as “government in action” and noted March next year, the Public Queensland are yet to be fully released, relation to the key issues of importance that as the largest employer in South but have already been deep and painful, to its members. Service Association is steadfast Australia it was the Government’s resulting in demonstrations and anger. “The PSA expects both parties in its push to obtain answers responsibility to be a model employer. There is similar unrest in NSW to advise of their vision for the from both the Government and He acknowledged there was amidst attempts to cut back or overhaul future of the public sector or face a the Opposition on their future significant debate in the community shift work entitlements, sick leave, sustained campaign until they do,” plans for the public sector. about the size of the public sector, but leave loading, health and safety and a Ms McMahon said. called for a “rational debate”. “It is vital that all parties make raft of other hard won conditions and Ms McMahon said the Premier had their intentions clear ahead of the next entitlements. been made very aware the PSA would election,’’ said PSA General Secretary “PSA has called on the Opposition “continue to fight for job security and Jan McMahon. to spell out what its intentions are to fight against mindless job cutting ahead of the next election and to tell “We are demanding full disclosure aimed at the appeasement of the voters before they go to the polls just on the issues of job security, and job business lobby”. which services and entitlements they and service cuts,” Ms McMahon said. The PSA remains concerned with intend to cut,” Ms McMahon said. Premier Jay Weatherill, who also the nearly 6,000 Government job cuts. “Just as we are calling on the holds the Treasury and Public Sector The PSA has also had the ear of Government to state its position on job portfolios, gave some insight into his Opposition Leader Stephen Marshall security - a major area of concern for our views on the public sector during his with PSA President Lindsay Oxlad and members.” recent attendance at the PSA Council General Secretary Jan McMahon taking At this stage neither party has meeting on February 8. the opportunity to brief the new Liberal committed to “tenure” beyond the life Opposition Leader Steven Marshall
BUDGET AGE FOR DISPUTE DEFICIT A CHANGE OVER Dispute STEADY CHILDREN Over Page 3 Page 4 Page 9 Danger to Children P2 PUBLIC SECTOR REVIEW APRIL/MAY 2013
Secretary’s Column President’s Column WE ALL NEED THE ELECTION FEVER IS IN PUBLIC SECTOR THE AIR
By Jan McMahon By Lindsay Oxlad
t may be a number of months until the For example, members of the MTA access ith the change of leadership in across the public service and to seek their IMarch 2014 State Election, however public services daily, whether by using Wthe Liberal Opposition and the commitment to nurturing and developing election fever is definitely in the air, and transport and road infrastructure or accessing Government’s recent Cabinet their most valuable asset. Quite apart from the public sector is sure to be one of the government departments with preferential access to vehicle registrations. And like all reshuffle the stage is set for a volatile key issues. And not just of interest to the committing to maintain job security it was South Australians, they enjoy the benefits of PSA and its members. Every South period in the lead up to the 14 March also pointed out that it was equally important our public health and education systems, and 2014 State election. Australian is sure to be affected. It is not a host of other services. for agencies to develop and implement a marginal issue, it is THE issue. The PSA has an important role to be the While both parties acknowledge that, sustainable workforce and recruitment and voice of reason in this debate. We are the union regardless of their ideological bent, whoever As the PSA’s Mind the Gap campaign retention plans to ensure a high performing continues to highlight, the State’s population which stands up for our members, and which forms Government after the election will public sector exists to meet future challenges. over the past 20 years has increased, and also stands up for the community. Despite depend on the public sector to continue the needs of the community are increasing, all the rhetoric by some, Australia and South to deliver their policy agenda. The South While the Leader of the Opposition was however the number of public sector workers Australia do not have large levels of debt. Australian community also expects the at pains to reassure us that Isobel Redmond’s has in fact decreased over the same period The support from members and of time. We therefore should be having a the community is testament to the real government to provide high quality, affordable statement that the Liberals would cut 25,000 discussion about investing in our State’s best understanding of the issues. Our political services in health, education, transport, jobs from the public sector was not his policy resource, our public sector. leaders must know by now that slash and burn law and order, environment, welfare and or intention, his proposal to establish an Given this, it is surprising that groups policies do not sit well with the community who the myriad of other areas of public sector are already dealing with the impact of the Foley Audit Commission to identify “waste” looks continue to call for significant cuts to Public responsibility. Sector jobs and conditions. The most recent era cuts and who will have to deal with the cuts awfully like the same proposal implemented and efficiencies that external consultants are I don’t know how many times politicians call for the shedding of 19,000 jobs by the most recently in Queensland and also in New Motor Trades Association (MTA) is truly attempting to impose on our health system. from both parties have stated that their remarkable when you consider that even the The current cuts by the Government employees are their most valuable asset which South Wales and Victoria. are significant, and causing problems for Liberal Party has acknowledged that former they are committed to nurture and develop In all those cases massive job cuts members and the community. Leader of the Opposition Isobel Redmond got to meet the challenges in the present tough During this latest debate on the size of the were recommended along with selling off it wrong when she talked of 26,000 job cuts. economic times and those likely to emerge However whilst we await the Liberal public sector, what emerged was there was also (privatizing) government (i.e. community) a great deal of support for Job Security for in the future (given our aging population and Party’s formal public sector policy position, assets. fragile economy). many of us remember the disastrous impact public sector workers. Currently this is only protected until 30 June 2014 and both political It is a truism in South Australian politics of the former Liberal Government’s Audit As a result of the job cuts initiated by parties will be under scrutiny by the PSA to Commission, and need only look interstate the Foley budget the public sector has now that our politicians tend to mimic what is continue the current Job Security policy. to Queensland and New South Wales to see reached a tipping point where any further done in other states even when it is shown to that Audit Commission’s do not have the best The benefits are obvious; a frank and cuts will not only mean the loss of valuable be ill conceived and counter productive (e.g. interests of the community at heart. fearless public sector, recruitment and retention of skilled employees, a stable corporate knowledge and skills within Financial bottom lines and ideology do Shared Services). workforce and employment and financial the public sector but have serious adverse not always match the health, social, education security for thousands of South Australians in impacts on families and businesses and the The proposal to establish an Audit and infrastructure needs of our State. metropolitan and regional centres. State economy as a whole. Commission falls squarely into that category. It is inconceivable that the public sector When manufacturing jobs are lost, there Impacts that will compound the cost of Apart form continuing to actively lobby could be slashed by up to 25% and provide is quite rightly concern about the impact much needed services to the community. on those workers, their families and the living pressures being faced by families both sides of politics the PSA, prior to the Arguments for such cuts are simplistic economy. The same principles should apply throughout the State as a result of higher election, will also seek responses from each and not based on any appreciation of what to public sector workers. The ripple effect electricity, gas, and water bills. it is the public sector actually does. Not one party and candidate on the range of issues on the economy of public sector job losses is With these issues in mind the Public of the proponents of these extensive job cuts rarely raised, but is equally concerning. that are important to our members and will Service Association has been meeting with are able to follow up with where they think As the election draws nearer, this spotlight publish them so that members can make an such cuts can be made, or what the impact of on the public sector is sure to be brighter as the Premier and his Ministers and the Leader informed choice on election day. massive job losses would be on the economy. both parties will be forced to be honest about of the Opposition to brief them on the The fact is, they can’t. their plans for the future. important work carried out by our members Watch this space!!
ReviewPUBLIC SECTOR The Public Sector REVIEW is an official publication of the Public Service Association of SA Inc and the Vision Statement Community & Public Sector Union (SPSF Group) SA Branch. Comments, letters and editorial material to: THE PSA WILL ACHIEVE THIS BY: ‘The Editor,’ Public Sector Review Level 5, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide, SA 5000. IRWYVMRKNSFWIGYVMX]JSVQIQFIVW Selected articles are published electronically on the QIQFIVWLMTMRZSPZIQIRX PSA Website at www.cpsu.asn.au/sa The PSA will be a dynamic organisation focused on the needs IJJIGXMZIQEREKIQIRXWYTTSVXIHF]XVEMRIH Tel: (08) 8205 3200 Fax: (08) 8223 6509 TVSJIWWMSREPWXEJJ and aspirations of its members throughout South Australia as Toll-free: 1800 811 457 GSRXMRYEPMQTVSZIQIRXSJMXWSTIVEXMSRW Email: [email protected] the principal trade union representing workers who provide MQTVSZIQIRXSJQIQFIVW´[EKIWERH[SVOMRK Printed on partially recycled paper with community services to South Australians. GSRHMXMSRW biodegradable soy-based inks by Cadillac Printing, 64 Kincaid Ave, North Plympton, SA. TVSZMWMSRSJMRHYWXVMEPWYTTSVXERHSXLIVZEPYIH The Public Sector Review’s official publication FIRIJMXWXSQIQFIVW number is PP565001/0010. This edition is Volume TVSQSXMSRSJXLIZMXEPVSPISJXLITYFPMGWIGXSV 47, number 2. MRXLIIGSRSQ]ERHGSQQYRMX] Responsibility for political content in this publication is taken by Peter Christopher, Editor. PUBLIC SECTOR REVIEW APRIL/MAY 2013 P3 Budget Deficit Steady Fear mongering in some This was the forecast made by quarters that the State’s former treasurer Jack Snelling in finances were in worse the December mid-year Budget shape than claimed by the review. Government has been shot Academic research clearly down by the latest Treasury establishes that Australia and numbers. South Australia have low levels In the lead up to the June 6 of public debt, particularly State Budget, Under Treasurer compared to most other advanced Brett Rowse told Parliament’s economies. Budget and Finance Committee The 6th June 2013 Budget that the forecast $1.2 billion will be the first by Premier and deficit was solid. Treasurer Jay Weatherill. NEW MINISTERS PSA leaders have met with several Ministers in the wake of changes to portfolios earlier this year. Among those with whom the PSA has had discussions were: The provision allows: s 4HE (ON 4OM +OUTSANTONIS n 4RANSPORT AND Infrastructure, Mineral Resources and Energy, Housing and Urban Development; s 4HE (ON 'RACE 0ORTOLESI n %MPLOYMENT (IGHER Education and Skills, Science and Information Technology; s 4HE (ON -ICHAEL /"RIEN n #ORRECTIONAL 3ERVICES Finance, Police, Emergency Services, Road Safety; s 4HE (ON )AN (UNTER n 3USTAINABILITY %NVIRONMENT AND Conservation, Water and the River Murray, Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation; s 4HE (ON *ACK 3NELLING n (EALTH AND !GEING -ENTAL Health and Substance Abuse, Defence Industries, Veterans’ Affairs; Minister Jack Snelling (right) with PSA President, Lindsay Oxlad and Jan McMahon s 4HE (ON *OHN 2AU n $EPUTY 0REMIER !TTORNEY 'ENERAL In each instance, the PSA addressed “The meetings provided an opportunity Planning, Industrial Relations, Business Services and matters of concern for members across to present Ministers with our views, Consumers. research, and concerns and to raise issues the broad range of departments and s 4HE (ON 4ONY 0ICCOLO n #OMMUNITIES AND 3OCIAL which are likely to be ongoing unless they Inclusion, Social Housing, Disabilities, Youth, Volunteers. agencies represented. are dealt with at a Ministerial level.
Best hospital cover in South Australia ...again!
At Health Partners, we continually strive to provide our members with the very best care and services available. We’re proud to have won our second consecutive Canstar Cannex award for most outstanding value-for-money hospital cover in South Australia.
o u e u t l s a t a v n d i n g Hospital Cover South Australia
To fi nd out more about our award winning hospital cover, call 1300 113 113 or visit healthpartners.com.au Awarded ‘Outstanding Value’ Hospital Cover South Australia in the 2009 and 2010 Canstar Cannex health insurance star ratings. P4 PUBLIC SECTOR REVIEW APRIL/MAY 2013 Age for a Change Amidst all the repeated clamour Conducted by the Australian 2: Fiscal austerity measures adopted demographic changes taking place by lobby groups and some political Workplace Innovation and Social in the Euro-zone over the last few in South Australia, including an interests to “cut public sector Research Centre of the University of years have neither reversed the ageing workforce, and increasing jobs”, a vital point seems often to Adelaide, the resultant report “Age for impact of the economic downturn and more complex demand for a Change: Ageing and Public Sector be lost - we are getting older. nor stemmed rising unemployment. public sector services. Renewal in the 21st Century” has Significant innovation and As a society we are ageing. And 3: Despite the relative resilience of been presented to the Premier in his investment in the public sector the Public Sector workforce is even the South Australian economy role as Treasurer. The full document workforce will be required in older than the average population age over recent years total government is available on the PSA website. the coming years, in order to be profile. revenues have been shrinking as a share of the economy. able to efficiently and effectively This is problematic given manage these changes in public People who have spent their lives as tax payers expectations that health and aged sector service delivery. care costs will rise significantly 6: There is a need to avoid a rapid will have an expectation they will be cared for. over the next five to ten years as loss of public sector workers They may be sadly disappointed. the population ages. through workforce reductions and The State Government has little retirements to enable an orderly capacity on its own to absorb transfer of skills and experience escalating health and aged care within the South Australian public 4HE +EY &INDINGS