JULY- SEPTEMBER 2020

POST OFFICE APPROVED PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF NSW/CPSU NSW PP 255003/01563 ISSN 1030-0740 FEATURE

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2 RED TAPE July-September 2020 Consider our PDS at firststatesuper.com.au to decide if this is right for you before making a decision. Issued by FSS Trustee Corporation ABN 11 118 202 672, AFSL 293340, the trustee of the First State Superannuation Scheme ABN 53 226 460 365.

FSS0055_Ad Trade Publication_210x275mm+5.indd 1 5/4/19 3:26 pm JULY-

SEPTEMBER 2020 CONTENTS

Low fees and From the General Secretary 04 Celebrating our Champions of the State News strong long-term 05 The big issues affecting your workplace From the President 06 The country needs a pick up performance, PSA HEAD OFFICE From the Assistant 160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 08 General Secretary GPO Box 3365, so our members Australia’s tax minimisation problem Sydney NSW 2001 12 T 1300 772 679 Champions of the State F (02) 9262 1623 26 Our members and their essential work W www.psa.asn.au retire with more www.cpsunsw.org.au Matters of life and death E [email protected] 34 The Department of Health saves a state [email protected] A sick system Managing Editor 36 How to wean universities off foreign cash Stewart Little, General Secretary No time for wage cuts Issue Editor 38 Austerity will hurt us all Jason Mountney Art Direction Women at Work Mine Konakci Enquiries Women working during COVID-19 40 PSA Communications Unit 22 1300 772 679 Work Health and Safety Membership 42 Keeping safe in a pandemic T 1300 772 679 The right support and advice to help you feel future ready E [email protected] Printer Spotpress Pty Ltd 24-26 Lilian Fowler Place Marrickville NSW 2204 [email protected]

An industry fund first state super 36 All members of CPSU NSW are also members of the Public Service Association. The PSA is the associated body that manages and resources CPSU NSW.

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 3 Consider our PDS at firststatesuper.com.au to decide if this is right for you before making a decision. Issued by FSS Trustee Corporation ABN 11 118 202 672, AFSL 293340, the trustee of the First State Superannuation Scheme ABN 53 226 460 365.

FSS0055_Ad Trade Publication_210x275mm+5.indd 1 5/4/19 3:26 pm FEATUREOPINION

From the General Secretary Stewart Little

staff, as well as those working in prisons, The State Treasurer is determined to deny has lifted the public’s view of the public our members the already-capped 2.5 per cent CHANGES AHEAD sector. Society saw that it could function pay rise this year. So much for thanking the just fine when hedge fund managers, essential workers of NSW for labouring on – AND WE ARE corporate consultants and the like stayed during the pandemic. home, but public services, including The State and Federal Governments want many PSA/CPSU NSW Champions of the to sacrifice the work our members do in READY FOR THEM State, were required to roll on throughout planning and the environment at the altar lockdowns. of infrastructure. This year marks the beginning However, there will always be opponents Universities, having had their of a well-funded public sector, and the dependence on overseas student income of the PSA’s Champions of the pandemic may give them a smokescreen exposed, want Professional Staff to take State campaign, where we look for vicious changes to the working lives of the hit with lower wages and job cuts. at how much NSW depends on PSA/CPSU NSW members. For your union, these coming attacks The virus may see improvements mean we can’t relax and bask in the glory our amazing members. in Workplace Health and Safety and of praise for our work fighting pandemics, nd in a year opening with working-from-home flexibility, but in fires and floods. The speed at which bushfires, then morphing its determination to “snap back” the neoliberals became fans of the public into a global pandemic, economy, the Federal Government may sector can reverse just as quickly once the the role of public use COVID-19 to justify an attack on virus is defeated. employees has never workers’ rights. For our members, this means talking been so prominently Federal Industrial Relations Minister to your workmates who have not yet in the spotlight. Christian Porter has already looked joined the PSA/CPSU NSW. The more Worldwide, the reaction to the virus into renegotiating enterprise bargaining members we have, the stronger our voice. fromA government employees such as agreements; and with a bigger pool of And, as has been proven this year, the nurses, doctors, teachers and school unemployed labour, the workers’ position stronger our public sector, the stronger may be weaker. our society. ROB AND DOM – THE FLOWERPOT MEN overnment is all about Fortunately, the decision didn’t last Instead of cutting wages and wasting priorities. When the very long once it became public. The money on office aesthetics, the NSW NSW Government ABC ran the story and I spoke on air to Government should offer certainty to its announced it wanted 2GB’s Ray Hadley. He was shocked, too. workforce by guaranteeing existing jobs to freeze public sector Before the day was out, Minister Stokes and adding new ones. wages, it became clear had done a backflip. the welfare of its To have just one building prepared employees is not its priority. Apparently to drop more than a million on fiddle Gthere are better things to spend money on. leaf figs and peace lilies is extraordinary. So I was stunned to learn the NSW But this is typical of a government that Government planned to spend $1.2 seems ideologically opposed to the very million on indoor plants at a time when idea of a public service. They would public servants are being told to tighten rather freeze wages than find other their belts and cop a pay cut. savings. The hypocrisy was breathtaking. Here The phenomenal work by public we have Treasurer Dominic Perrottet sector workers in NSW Health is the and Planning Minster Rob Stokes saying reason restrictions can be eased and the there is no money for public servants economy started up again. while signing contracts for million dollar The most powerful stimulus the NSW vertical gardens. Government has is its own workforce.

4 RED TAPE July-September 2020 YOUR UNION

THE SALARIES CASE: PSA THERE TO FIGHT

The NSW Government thanks essential workers by denying them a pay rise. he Government’s predictable response to COVID-19 – to cut wages – was met with resistance from the PSA and other public sector unions. After weeks of platitudes about the essential work done by public servants throughout NSW, the State Government Tannounced planned 2.5 per cent pay rises would not go ahead unless they had already been agreed. The PSA had already negotiated a pay increase for 2020-21 for staff in Transport. Members in schools received an increase thanks to the PSA’s 2019 Pay Equity case. The CPSU NSW also won several rises for members covered by the Fair Work Commission. However, despite the case for a 2.5 per cent pay rise for most PSA members under the Crown Employees Award being lodged in December last year, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced in May that wages would be frozen. This would also affect other non-PSA employees, including police, nurses and teachers. All these workers, and many supporting the bill was a broad mix of supporters; PSA/CPSU NSW members, had continued to work One Nation; the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers; during the shutdown created by the COVID-19 the Animal Justice Party; and former Green Justin pandemic. Field. Only Christian Democrat veteran Fred Nile Not happy with that, the Treasurer also voted with the Government to freeze pay. mandated that public servants receiving pay This win on behalf of public servants and their increases this year would have their pay frozen in hard work throughout NSW at this important subsequent years. time saw the case for a 2.5 per cent pay rise return The freeze came hot on the heels of to the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). substantial pay rises for senior executives, It remains a tough fight with the Government including Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, continuing to try and enforce their discredited THE FREEZE whose annual salary increased by $87,000. policy through arbitration in the IRC. CAME HOT ON Rather than put the pay freeze to a vote in There the Government combined the pay cases parliament, the Liberal/National Government of a number of public servants, including nurses, THE HEELS OF instead introduced a regulation outlining its to try and stymie increases in the one go. SUBSTANTIAL plans to leave wages at the same level as the year “The MPs saw that our members were there before. A media backlash appeared to catch the in schools, there in gaols, there at the Service PAY RISES Government by surprise, with the Treasurer then NSW desk, there in National Parks, keeping NSW FOR SENIOR talking about one-off payments of $1000 and a running,” said PSA General Secretary Stewart Little. no-redundancies policy. “Other members were working just as hard for the EXECUTIVES It is important to note there was no formal people of NSW from home as those in the office.” announcement about the $1000 one-off payment Media support for public-sector pay rises came or the no-redundancies policy, just sound bites in from a variety of sources, including normally the media. conservative voices such as Ray Hadley. The NSW Legislative Council, the state’s upper The case was continuing as Red Tape went to house, used its authority to reject the changed press. For more on the perils of austerity, see regulation. Joining Labor and the Greens in page 38.

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 5 OPINION

From the President Kylie McKelvie

or years, drought has cut the local businesses, which can plan better THE COUNTRY state’s agricultural output as knowing not all local incomes are subject major rivers have dried up. to conditions beyond their control. And NEEDS A PICK- In tourist regions such as as NSW recovers from the pandemic’s the South Coast, visitors left damage to the economy, those public in droves as fires gripped the sector incomes will become even more UP – AND WE state, failing to return as important in regional NSW. rules on isolation to prevent Coronavirus The instability brought on by COVID-19 Fspreading kept people home. has shown people worldwide just how CAN DO IT Much of the farming sector has been important our public services are. The PSA/ buoyed by rains and is on the way back, CPSU NSW will ensure that our members’ Drought, fires, then COVID-19: and tourists will return. But regional time in the limelight is not dimmed by for NSW, the succession of NSW needs consistency. It needs jobs and the passing of time and the re-emergence dependable incomes that are not subject to of the political powers that want to strip disasters to hit the state has the vagaries of the weather or the number away public services in the name of sell- had catastrophic effects on of tourists rocking up in a given season. offs, privatisations and job cuts. We will local economies. Now is the For many people in regional NSW, continue to fight for our members in the even a part-time public sector job gives bush and the role they play in not only time for the public sector to their family a measure of financial providing excellent public services, but also come to the rescue. stability. That stability can flow on to in keeping regional economies thriving.

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VIRUS HITS CONFERENCE NEW DELEGATES TO THE ABORIGINAL The PSA/CPSU NSW Annual Conference will move to COUNCIL COMMITTEE September. ELECTORATE 1a – Communities In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the & Justice – Justice PSA/CPSU NSW Central Council resolved Jack Mahoney Yvonne Weldon is among the new Delegates. that the 2020 Annual Conference now be Yvonne Weldon held in September, along with the Country Kevin Jones ELECTORATE 2 – Disabilities, Conference. Aboriginal Conference is now Transport, Planning, Industry & ELECTORATE 1b – Education planned for October 2020, and Women’s Environment, Customer Service, Patricia Morris Conference in November. Premier & Cabinet, TAFE, Universities, Darrell Brown “This decision was made in the best Other National Systems, SOCs Sean Bremer interests of our delegates, members, staff and Robin Heath the general public, as Annual Conference ELECTORATE 1c – Communities Belinda Burns involves up to 200 people from throughout & Justice – old FACS Trudy Healey NSW gathering in close quarters at PSA Lynette Lawrie ELECTORATE 3 – Regional House,” said General Secretary Stewart Little. Cathy Bennett Raymond Wilson Central Council also acknowledged the Matthew Cutmore Tony Amatto rescheduled conferences will have to comply Stephen Cochrane with any public health orders in place in the scheduled months.

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July-September 2020 RED TAPE 7 FEATUREOPINION

From the Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright

As Senator Patrick pointed out: “Over methods to minimise tax. These laws could the last five years from 2013-14 to 2018- be changed with the right political will, but MINIMISE YOUR 19 the company generated $43 billion in we live in a bizarre world where revenue and in that period they didn’t pay governments and certain parts of the TAX: WIN a brass razoo in tax.” media demonise public servants, and laud Senator Patrick said one of Mr Ullmer’s those companies not paying their way. Even ‘philanthropy’ projects, the Melbourne handing them Order of Australia medals. PLAUDITS Symphony Orchestra, stood down all its musicians and put them on the Lendlease Chair Michael taxpayer-funded JobKeeper program. This was despite the fact that they’d been Ullmer this year nabbed negotiating to take a 50 per cent pay cut. himself an Order of Australia As we enter an economic downturn and for distinguished service to look at paying for bail-outs such as the JobKeeper payment, it is particularly painful the performing and visual to think of the revenue forever denied to the arts and to the finance and country thanks to clever accounting. banking industry. His service to Earlier this year we saw Richard Branson holding out his hands for a Australia’s tax coffers? Not so government bailout after years of stashing illustrious. profits in places such as the Virgin Islands. eadlines about the In fact, according to journalist Michael Order of Australia West, whose website michealwest.com.au Having a lend: Michael Ullmer this year were tracks tax minimisation throughout dominated by the Australia, Virgin Australia Holdings worthiness of Tony Limited was the second most efficient No-one likes paying tax. But the jobs of Abbott and noted company in the country at reducing its tax most of our members rely on well-funded air transport liabilities. According to Mr West’s site, the treasuries. The university sector, long aficionado Bronwyn Bishop, with the company paid exactly zero dollars in overly dependent on overseas students, Hpolitical Right throwing in complaints corporate tax on an eye-watering income needs to return to the days where about Mike Carlton swearing on Twitter. of $23,431,281,904 over five years. governments invested money in education, However, it took a speech by South knowing the returns from a well-educated Australian Senator Rex Patrick to highlight workforce would exceed inputs. the award to Michael Ullmer, who chairs Australia has done well over the past 30 the Lendlease board. years, spared recessions and economic Outside the business pages, you are THE COMPANY GENERATED downturns. But COVID-19 has accelerated most likely to see the Lendlease name $43 BILLION IN a likely recession. An increase in on the side of building projects. It builds unemployment equals a decrease in everything from ports to blocks of flats, REVENUE AND ... DIDN’T income tax. Less spending equals lower business hubs to dams. PAY A BRASS RAZOO IN TAX GST revenues. All at a time when the Many of these projects are government country will need a solid tax base to pay or quasi-government jobs paid for by the for outlays such as the NSW Treasurer’s taxpayer. This is where Mr Ullman’s award planned infrastructure splurge, shortfalls becomes controversial, because one place in education funding and the general cost you won’t see the Lendlease name is in a A part-time cleaner would have of running a society. list of corporate taxpayers. contributed more to the nation’s coffers. In the past year, the public sector has done Despite accepting a slew of Australian It is important to draw a distinction its bit. Our Champions of the State have government projects – think prisons between tax minimisation and tax taken on bushfires, healed the sick and in Queensland, convention centres avoidance. Most of the big companies showed up to staff essential services. Now it is and sporting grounds in Adelaide, port gleefully paying little or no tax are not time for the business community to do its bit facilities, university buildings and even breaking any laws. They are taking by scaling back the accounting trickery and parts of the National Broadband Network advantage of lax laws that allow access to pay what’s due. – Lendlease pays no corporate tax. legal – if not exactly moral – accounting

8 RED TAPE July-September 2020 JIHAD TALKS TAFE Shadow Minister for Skills and TAFE, Jihad Dib, met with delegates via Zoom and in person at PSA House in June to praise members for their work during COVID-19 and to talk about the future of the vocational training system in NSW. He covered how the 110 free online courses provided during the pandemic were a welcome move, but expressed fears they are a Trojan horse for the Government to hollow out TAFE and depart from quality face-to-face teaching. He also spoke about how Connected Learning Centres cannot be a substitute for longstanding teaching methods.

CPSU NSW WORKS FOR A SAFER TAFE The CPSU NSW has been proactive in keeping pressure on TAFE NSW to maintain safety at campuses across the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. fter a well-attended Skype meeting, CPSU NSW TAFE Delegates advocated strongly to ensure safety measures were in place if TAFE NSW campuses were to remain open. Staff in high- contact areas, such as libraries and administration, were particularly concerned. CPSU NSW Branch Secretary Stewart Little wrote to TAFE General Manager Steffen Faurby outlining members’ concerns. AAfter a risk assessment, work began on creating a COVID-ready workplace. Safety measures included signs and tape to guide people on campus safely, quality cleaning and hygiene gear and additional cleaning of facilities. A meeting is held every morning to address any concerns from | | CPSU NSW members. | | There have been seven positive COVID-19 cases among TAFE staff. TAFE members have also been integral in running free courses for the NSW public during the COVID-19 lockdown. These courses are still available.

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 9 EDUCATION AND SPORT

PSA RESCUES CASUAL STAFF AT RISK fter pressure from the PSA, the NSW Government committed up to $95.7 million to help keep casual and temporary school staff engaged in active work during the pandemic. AThis came after weeks of the union raising the issue of extending contracts and employee protections with the Department of Education. The PSA pushed for an extension of contracts so that temporary employees can still support students, teaching staff and their school communities, as well as earn a living and support themselves during the crisis. “The announcement gives 3000 support staff in schools, who were living CHAMPIONS OF THE STATE KEEP ON DURING with employment uncertainty, peace of mind,” said Industrial Manager Kris SPORTING BREAK Cruden. “Their contracts were rolled over into term two. PSA members at the Office of Sport Sydney Academy were grateful for a visit “As a member of the PSA you can be to their workplace from PSA Organiser Simone Scalmer to see how they had confident your workplace rights and been adjusting their working days during COVID-19. protections will always be fought for. Your union will always be behind you.”

ELECTION POSTPONEMENT NOTICE Public Service Association and Professional Officers Association Amalgamated Union of NSW he election for the the PSA election at this time. The NSW of this election will not lead to a delay of Public Service Parliament has passed legislation that the 2024 election with a curtailed four- Association and temporarily amends the Industrial year term. Professional Officers Relations Act 1996 (NSW) to allow for the The PSA Executive is committed Association making of a regulation to allow the to maintaining a democratic union Amalgamated Union of elections of industrial organisations to and adhering to the rules. It will keep NSW (PSA) Central be postponed due to the COVID-19 members informed of the progress of the Council and Executive positions was due pandemic. election. Tto commence in July 2020. Due to The PSA is working with the Industrial

COVID-19 restrictions, the NSW Relations Commission to ensure that Yours faithfully, Electoral Commissioner’s official this election will commence as soon as Stewart Little Returning Officer is unable to conduct permitted. It is anticipated that the delay General Secretary

10 RED TAPE July-September 2020 TIME TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SAS STAFF August 24 to 28 is SAS Staff Recognition Week, when schools across NSW celebrate the contribution of their administrative and support staff and thank them for everything they do to keep our schools running. he past 12 months have been difficult for every community in NSW, with droughts, floods, fires followed by a pandemic. Science staff think on their feet to Throughout all these keep COVID-19 at bay challenges, SAS Staff kept our schools Tand classrooms open and available to When students returned to “I haven’t made any sanitiser. But you students and parents who needed them. could if you had to,” he said. That’s why this year’s PSA SAS Staff Bankstown Senior College, Having a large amount of flammable Recognition Week is special. Science School Administrative liquid around creates new problems. SAS Staff are Champions of the Officer (SAO) Goran Terzic looked Another SAO, Robert Hughes of State. These are members that children, Doonside Technology High School had teachers and entire communities rely at how to keep surfaces clean at a solution. He said empty bottles have on when things get tough. a time sanitising products were to “be rendered non-flammable before When? August 24-28, 2020 disposal”. What can I do? Talk to your both rare and expensive. Principal and P&C to let them know s the students returned Recognition Week is coming so they to classes, Mr Terzic was can plan an event for you. A morning asked to organise spray tea, lunch or a dinner is a great way to bottles for the school. THAT GOT ME INTERESTED show appreciation and bring people “That got me together. And if you get the chance, interested in what you IN WHAT YOU NEED TO please ask your Principal and teachers need to disinfect a desk,” DISINFECT A DESK to support the campaign to have he said. “So I started looking at what was more long-term temporary employees Athe most effective thing to clean the desks offered a permanent position with, and I came up with alcohol.” What should I do after the Mr Terzic knew buying in bulk would event? We would love you to share keep stocks high and costs down. “They go off to the bin, via the water your Recognition Week photos with “I found a place in Penrith that sold 70 tap,” he added. us. Email them to [email protected] per cent ethanol and 30 per cent water in “The work our Science SAOs do and remember to tell us who is in the 20-litre drums,” he said. nurturing the innovators of tomorrow has photo and the school you work in. You Mr Terzic said his school did not run always been vital,” said PSA Industrial can also send a photo together with a out of hand sanitiser but he was ready in Manager Kris Cruden. “Now these press release to your local newspaper or case supplies ran low during the worst of Champions of the State are also keeping community website. the pandemic and its associated hoarding. our staff and students safe.”

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 11 ARTS & HEALTHCULTURE

NO WIGGLE ROOM: PSA SECURES JOBS AMID CLOSURES Action by the PSA saved the employment of 50 casual staff working at Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum. The Museum planned to axe the jobs, effectively sending the employees to Centrelink and on to the JobSeeker payment. he PSA argued long-term casuals in regular and systematic employment should ‘We can have it all’: PSA talks up culture be placed on other duties. If no other Cultural expansion should not supported by the existing five pillars of duties were available, they should be Tplaced on special leave and paid as collection institutions”. come at the expense of other The report points out the absurdity normal. institutions. of moving a museum dedicated With the prospect of the PSA taking action in the Industrial n a submission to an inquiry into to industrial heritage from a site characterised by its industrial heritage. Relations Commission (IRC), the the crisis-hit arts and culture Museum analysed its workforce and sector, the PSA has maintained It also warns that moving the entire collection to a new site runs the risks identified the 50 staff qualified as the expansion of the NSW long-term casuals. museum system should not come of massive cost overruns and damage to exhibits. It adds plans to recoup costs Troy Wright, Assistant General at the expense of existing Secretary of the PSA, said this was institutions. through selling vacant land from the old Ultimo site will have been scuppered by a good result for members. “These “There are currently five state-run 50 employees will continue to be Icultural institutions in Sydney, being the the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect employed and paid an average of their Sydney Living Museums, State Library on inner-city property values. The PSA submission also calls for hours worked over the preceding six of NSW, Australian Museum, Museum of months. Our discussions with the Applied Arts and Sciences [Powerhouse the creation of “a new NSW Country Roving Museum, supported by the NSW Museum were productive and we Museum] and the Art Gallery of NSW, that welcome this outcome.” maintain, develop and exhibit their own Government, whereby multidisciplinary mobile exhibitions garner interest in the However, the win comes as the collection or content, which we will call Museum shut down a number of the five pillars,” reads the submission. Sydney museums and in the cultural, historical or heritage aspects that the five blockbuster exhibits, including In the submission, the PSA recommends the Space, Transport Hall, Steam against the Powerhouse being moved in pillars deliver”. The Carriageworks cultural site in inner Revolution and the ever-popular its entirety to a new site in Parramatta. Wiggles displays. It wants the museum to be one of five Sydney, which recently went into voluntary administration, is also recommended as a “We have heard from members contributors to a new venue in the western that staff morale, particularly among CBD. The union also warned that the site for existing institutions to use. The PSA submission also “recommends Visitor Services Officers, is very low,” proposed site, by the Parramatta River, said PSA Industrial Manager Nathan is susceptible to increased incidence of the NSW Government provide funding to convert casual and temporary roles Bradshaw. “The PSA is in the IRC flooding as climate change bites. over the decision to shut the exhibits The submission recommends “an to ongoing roles” and that the efficiency dividend be removed from all cultural before a sod has even been turned at alternate site should be considered the new Parramatta site.” for a Western Sydney Cultural Facility funding.

12 RED TAPE July-September 2020 PSA and KEEP OUR ICONS ALIVE Government The PSA and the Media, The dedicated and talented staff who team up to work at these cultural facilities know jobs Entertainment and Arts Alliance are at risk. As employees of the NSW keep it clean launched a joint campaign Government they are not eligible for the demanding support for employees JobKeeper Allowance. The PSA is working with the That’s why the PSA and the Alliance of the state’s cultural institutions. (MEAA) have launched a joint campaign State Government to ensure aronga Zoo, the Art highlighting the plight of their members. the re-opening of its cultural Gallery of NSW, the They have called on Premier Gladys institutions does not put Powerhouse Museum, Berejiklian to save the jobs of people Sydney Observatory, working in the state’s cultural institutions employees at excessive risk. Sydney Living Museums, and to “Keep Our Icons Alive”. n June, the Government the Sydney Opera House: “These institutions are too important re-opened cultural venues NSW is blessed with to lose,” said Sharna Galvin of the MEAA to the public, with social many acclaimed institutions showcasing Federal Council. “Our state’s cultural Tour natural, artistic and scientific heritage. institutions are not just buildings – they distancing in place. The Australian Museum Staging exhibits that inspire the next are made possible by the staff that work in remains closed for generation of scientific leaders, through to them, care for them, and deliver them.” renovations. performances that uplift and entertain, Troy Wright, Assistant Secretary of “While the re-opening of cultural our cultural institutions are the envy of the PSA, said, “Some of Sydney’s and Iinstitutions will assist in easing other states and the world. Australia’s greatest cultural icons are the significant pressure on their Each year millions of Australians and at risk of falling through the cracks. budgets, the Government needs international guests visit these institutions, They need guaranteed funding from the to address the massive drop in generating the revenue that keeps them NSW Government to retain staff, just revenue the pandemic has caused, running. As the nation went into COVID-19 like Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and will continue to cause for lockdown, the doors to these institutions delivered in his state. some time,” said Industrial were closed. Without their usual revenue, “If we want these cultural icons to be Manager Nathan Bradshaw. they are under threat. Jobs have been lost there for us when the crisis is over we have and employees stood down. to fight to keep them alive now.”

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 13 HEALTH & COMMUNITY SERVICES

HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE Yet more PSA members show the value of public services during a pandemic.

THE PSA HAS SA members in the Department of safety is taken into account during these BEEN INVOLVED IN Housing were out in force on the operations. streets during the COVID-19 The outreach teams were required to TALKS WITH THE pandemic, helping some of the adhere to advice from NSW Health, including DEPARTMENT OF most vulnerable people in the state. maintaining social distancing, in order to “There was an increasingly minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19 to HOUSING TO ENSURE assertive outreach during the people sleeping rough and to minimise risks MEMBERS’ SAFETY pandemic to care for people experiencing for workers. Phomelessness,” said PSA Industrial Manager Kris A General Practitioner joined the patrols in the Cruden. City of Sydney and extra Housing staff have also “Our members have been getting people been involved in the operation. into temporary housing and making sure they “We are so proud of the work our members have access to hygiene supplies such as hand are doing to reduce homelessness in NSW,” said sanitiser.” Ms Cruden. The PSA has been involved with talks with the “Our members in Housing truly are Department of Housing to ensure its members’ Champions of the State.”

14 RED TAPE July-September 2020 DISABILITIES

PROVIDER FLAGS CUTS

As employment guarantees for Disability Support Workers begin to expire, the CPSU NSW is gearing up for a succession of battles for members’ pay and conditions. onnectAbility, a small provider based on the NORTHCOTT EBA TO SHOW THE WAY Central Coast, has advised the CPSU NSW All members in the disability sector will be closely watching the of plans to restructure negotiation for an Enterprise Agreement between the CPSU NSW the Hunter Valley Disability Services and Northcott. (HVDS) portion of supported Cindependent living to resemble its orthcott members are the Fair Work Commission. This means it pre-existing business. the first CPSU NSW will need to pass the Better Off Overall The company gave members and the workers in the Test (BOOT), meaning it provides better CPSU NSW one week to consult. disability sector to conditions than the Social, Community, Under the proposal the Coordinator of negotiate an Home Care and Disability Services Accommodation Respite (CAR), Practice Enterprise Agreement Industry Award. Support Coordinator and Rostering that will replace the “The CPSU NSW will be asking Manager roles have been deleted, with the Copied State Awards; the conditions Northcott members to contribute Nwhich the members worked under when throughout this process, including in the position of Supported Independent Living (SIL), Support Leader essentially replacing they were public servants. development of our log of claims,” said the CAR role. The Copied State Awards remain in force CPSU NSW Industrial Manager Thane With the removal of the Rostering until a new Enterprise Agreement comes Pearce. “It is important for all Northcott Manager role, ConnectAbility stated Team into being. For this to happen, all Northcott members to contribute as this will inform Leaders were required to commence employees covered by the agreement need what we negotiate for on their behalf.” submitting their rosters via Zoom to be given the opportunity to vote, with a The CPSU NSW held a number of online from 12 May. It is unclear what level of majority needed to approve the Enterprise meetings to keep members in the loop responsibility Team Leaders will have for Agreement. It then needs to be approved by throughout the negotiation process. the rosters or the additional workload under the new operating arrangement. Additionally, ConnectAbility did not provide any information on how staff MNCDS retreats from disability sector training and support was to be managed et another disability consortium partners, one of which was once the Practice Support Coordinator services provider is Ability Options. The CPSU NSW was role is deleted. leaving the sector. involved in that process. Ability Options has The CPSU NSW wrote to ConnectAbility Mid North Coast confirmed that it intends to replicate, where to express concern that on the basis of Disability Services possible, those documents and processes the company’s proposed implementation (MNCDS) wrote to staff which they have consulted on previously timeframes, genuine and meaningful advising of its plans to with the CPSU NSW. consultation will be unable to occur. transfer its disability services business to The CPSU NSW and MNCDS continued “As pay and conditions come under individualY consortium partners. Ability to meet during the transition process. The threat, there has never been a more Options is the only remaining entity. CPSU NSW encourages all members to important time to be a member of the Hunter Valley Disability Services (HVDS) carefully review the information and provide CPSU NSW,” said Industrial Manager Thane recently underwent a similar transfer written feedback to both MNCDS and to Pearce. “We will be campaigning to keep of disability services to its individual the CPSU NSW. members’ existing work conditions, not only for their sakes but for the clients, too.”

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 15 JUSTICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES

PSA PUSHES FOR FIREFIGHTERS

PSA calls for reforms in the Rural Fire Service, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Forestry Corporation.

he NSW Government has listened to the PSA and employed additional professional firefighting staff so the state has the capacity to fight fires all year round, not just in the peak season. TExtra hiring was one of the key recommendations made by the PSA to the Independent Inquiry into the devastating bushfires that swept across Australia during the summer of 2020. will have catastrophic consequences,” said increase the number of paid professional The Government promised to hire an Mr Little. “There were not enough fully firefighters and fire management staff. additional 100 firefighters. trained and experienced firefighting and “While not enough, this is a start,” said incident staff on the ground during the last Budget cuts left NSW unprepared Stewart Little, General Secretary of the PSA. bushfire season. The ones that were left In the years leading up to the bushfires, The union has members in all four were expected to do too much with too few major restructures of the RFS, NPWS, Fire direct fire combat agencies in NSW: the resources, leading to fatigue and exhaustion. and Rescue and the Forestry Corporation NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS), the NSW (FCNSW) led to significantly reduced National Parks and Wildlife Service firefighting and preparedness capacity. Mr Little said these cutbacks were a (NPWS), Forestry Corporation of NSW CUTBACKS WERE A MAJOR (FCNSW) and Fire and Rescue. The major reason why the NSW Government PSA’s submission was based on extensive REASON THE GOVERNMENT was inadequately prepared for the 2019-20 fire season. research and feedback provided by WAS INADEQUATELY members who served on the frontline “The focus of the NSW Government on during the bushfire crisis. PREPARED cutting budgets and saving money had The PSA recommended significant devastating results during the bushfires. reforms to the RFS, NPWS, Fire and Restructures led to a loss of staff in Rescue and the Forestry Corporation critical positions, leaving fire combat in preparation for future fire seasons, “There was also an over-reliance on agencies understaffed, undertrained and including how they are staffed and volunteers and casuals or lower paid staff lacking in resources and experience,” Mr resourced as well as the need to avoid without adequate training, expertise, Little said. further budget cuts. equipment or experience.” Fire combat agencies were subjected In submissions to both the NSW Inquiry The submission praised the courageous to additional cuts as a result of the NSW as well as the Commonwealth’s Royal efforts of the thousands of volunteers Government’s annual efficiency dividend. Commission into National Natural Disaster who put their lives on the line during A number of agencies, including the Arrangements, the PSA recommends a new the summer, including many members RFS, were also experiencing chronic job Central Coordination Agency be created of the PSA. However, the submission vacancy issues. to provide co-ordination between the warns against relying too heavily on The PSA’s submission recommends Australian and state governments and to volunteers as it is impossible to guarantee making it mandatory to consider the set national standards for all Australian their availability. Volunteers have other impact a restructure or a reduction in firefighting agencies. commitments and their own lives to staff has on an agency’s fire management “These additional staff, together with manage, with little new blood joining to or firefighting capabilities. The the existing teams, need to be adequately take the places of veterans. submission also calls for fire combat equipped and resourced to fight and That’s why the best way to ensure agencies to be exempted from state prepare for future fires. Failure to do this NSW is ready for future fire seasons is to efficiency dividends.

16 RED TAPE July-September 2020 WHO IS ON THE LINE? SA members have advised that the NSW Trustee and Guardian (NSWTG) has recorded phone conversations between employees without notice. The PSA is highly concerned about this, as Pit may be in breach of the Workplace Surveillance Act NSW 2005. The PSA’s understanding was that call recording by NSWTG would be limited to calls between staff and clients. The purpose of the call recording was to ensure quality control. The PSA has contacted NSWTG and discovered calls are recorded between staff members if they use the Genesys phone system. This is, on its face, a breach of the notice requirements of the Act and the PSA is investigating further. CLOSURES HIT REGIONAL ECONOMIES he closure of gaols in Ivanhoe and Brewarrina has forced families to move, affected local economies and scuppered MARKO FLIES THE FLAG FOR THE UNION programs for Aboriginal inmates. arko Petrovic, Many Sheriff’s Officers were deployed Seventeen staff in Ivanhoe and 20 in above, is a Delegate to assist firefighting efforts across NSW TBrewarrina will lose their jobs. on the Sheriff’s during the state’s worst ever bushfire “Most, if not all, staff in both centres Officers Vocational season. will relocate out of the respective towns as Branch Advisory “Sheriff’s Officers are a highly there are no other roles or places of work,” Group (SOVBAG) unionised and active work group,” said said Prison Officers Vocational Branch representing all Organiser Latu Sailosi. “SOVBAG has (POVB) Chair Nicole Jess. Sheriff’s Officer PSA members in NSW. successfully fought and advocated on Brewarrina’s Yetta Dhinnakkal Centre, MSheriff’s Officers provide primary their behalf for improved and safer which opened in 2000 as a prison security and administrative services across work conditions, PSA membership has exclusively for Aboriginal men, will shut. most NSW courts and tribunals. increased significantly over the past “Unfortunately, our arguments on the These essential frontline staff worked 12 months, meaning we have more value of both centres and the impact these tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 industrial power and strength. closures will have on these isolated and lockdown to maintain the safety, health “The key industrial and WHS issue is a drought-affected towns fell on deaf ears,” and security of the NSW courts and requirement to work alone at courts and said Ms Jess. tribunals system. tribunals.”

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 17 JUSTICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES

Bring it back: Parklea stabbing cuts through outsourcing debate he death of a prisoner in Parklea, one of the state’s privately run prisons, has highlighted the need to bring the facility back into state control, said Stewart TLittle, State Branch Secretary of the CPSU NSW. The CPSU NSW’s reaction to the death was picked up by The Daily Telegraph and Channel Ten news. Mr Little told the Telegraph that Parklea was not paying its staff enough to work among violent inmates. “To run a remand facility in GETTING READY FOR THE NEXT BLAZES metropolitan Sydney where you have high staff turnover, it’s really difficult The bushfires of 2019-20 and Luke doing this essential work. Their to maintain and train staff up to a highlighted the importance roles also involve helping infirm, disabled high level,” he was quoted. “Why are and elderly residents, maintaining fire they going to work guarding rapists of preparation. trails, assisting the public in accidents, and murderers when they can go and PSA members in the Rural Fire Service are fighting fires and general hazard reduction drive a bus and earn more money? preparing the state for the next fire season. around NSW to reduce the severity of That’s why you’ve got these problems Pictured are PSA members Ben, Josh bushfires. and you’ll continue to have them.” Inmate Michael Black was fatally stabbed at the facility while waiting in an audio-visual link suite to appear NO JUSTICE IN FLEX AVOIDANCE in court. Parklea has been in private hands he PSA has received • having starting and/or finishing since 2008. It was recently taken concerns from members times dictated to them by a over by MTC-Broadspectrum from in Non-Custodial supervisor separate to operational its previous operators, GEO Group Correction about a lack requirements; and Australia, after the State Government of access to their Flex • Flex Time entitlements being intervened over increasing problems Time entitlements. suspended due to COVID-19 or at the gaol. Amongst other things, working from home. There is another private prison members raised concerns about: These are all contrary to their Flex still operated by GEO, in Junee. T• being directed to work only seven Agreement. Another gaol outside Grafton, hours per day; In a recent ruling in the Industrial scheduled to accept inmates from • being required to obtain advance Relations Commission with regards July. The operator, Serco, has been at written approval for any instance to Flex Time in NSW Police, the the centre of allegations such as an where they are working more or less Commission took a dim view of increase of deaths in custody, self- than seven hours per day; attempts to artificially limit access to harm and of staff beating detainees • only being allowed to accrue Flex the entitlement, claiming “it is not open at the Christmas Island immigration Time when a supervisor is present; to individual supervisors to impose detention facility. • being required to find colleagues to additional arbitrary limitations on an In New Zealand, fight clubs were cover their duties while accessing employee’s right to accrue flex leave”. found to be operating in a Serco-run Flex leave; gaol.

18 RED TAPE July-September 2020 UNION MEMBER BUGLES IN THE ANZAC DAY DAWN PSA Police Band delegate Matt Collins climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the morning of Anzac Day to pay homage to the country’s veterans. r Collins “Normally they have a bit more of a commemorated ceremony up there, but this time with an Anzac Day the restrictions it was just me,” said defined by social Mr Collins. distancing by “It was quite surreal to look down playing The Last and see the city being absolutely still. Post alone on the Normally on Anzac Day you’d see bridge as the sun rose over the horizon. thousands of people gathering. But MThe Police Band was approached by this year, other than one or two boats BridgeClimb Sydney, which runs tours up on the harbour, there was no sign of the structure, to bugle in the dawn. people anywhere.”

Command Post near Sydney’s Central quarantining new arrivals into the system. INMATES INSIDE, Station. The team, comprising CSNSW A field hospital has also been established management and the POVB, meets daily in case of an outbreak. COVID-19 OUT: HOW to keep the pandemic out of the state’s “There is the possibility of many benefits corrective facilities. Commissioned to come from the changes after the UNION MEMBERS KEPT Officers Vocational Branch Secretary Dave pandemic,” said Ms Howes. “Things such Fryer is also at the centre. as tablet visits giving inmates the chance to A PANDEMIC AT BAY “We are there involving the union in the talk to relatives overseas or see things like management of the COVID-19 pandemic,” relative’s babies or the kids’ new bikes.” Working from home was not an said Ms Howes. “I think it has been a PSA members in the CSNSW digital option for many Champions of really good joint effort. We have a whole technology unit have been integral in the heap of different representatives under the roll-out of the tablet-based visiting system. the State working in the state’s CSNSW banner to implement strategies.” “If they choose to continue with the field gaols and Youth Justice facilities. Ms Howes said successful strategies hospital, it will also mean not having to take include replacing physical visits with as many hospital escorts,” said Ms Howes. uring the COVID-19 electronic ones conducted via tablets and She added the quarantining of new pandemic, the NSW inmates may be beneficial, as people can Correctives and Youth access non-custodial services while waiting Justice facilities to enter the prison system proper. continued to operate, Ms Howes said the cooperative spirit presenting staff with shown by CSNSW has been a welcome the challenge of side-effect of the process. keeping themselves and their detainees PSA Industrial Officer Roland Harris Dfree from the disease. has been dialing into daily briefings And it worked, with NSW prisons with the command centre to ensure the and Youth Justice facilities free from interests of members in Non-custodial COVID-19 at the time of press. and Community Corrections are being More than 500 inmates have entered taken on board. the prison system since the virus began to “Hopefully in the future CSNSW will be spread. as consultative on ongoing prison reform Country Vice Chair of the projects,” said Mr Harris. “All members Prison Officers Vocational Branch (POVB), deserve a pat on the back for keeping Natalie Howes, is part of a team at the COVID-19 out of gaols.” Corrective Services NSW (CSNSW) COVID

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 19 UNIVERSITIES

WOLLONGONG SURVEY SKEWED Don’t like the result? Change the method. he CPSU NSW maintains the University of Wollongong (UOW) tried to skew the university’s options survey towards vicious pay cuts and big job losses. In a UOW staff poll in June, staff were asked to select one of three options, CPSU NSW DEAL SAVES Tall involving pay cuts or job losses. The UOW branches of both the CPSU UNIVERSITY JOBS NSW and the National Tertiary Education Union rejected the university’s proposals estern Sydney University and called on staff to vote for Option 3 (WSU) has signed a deal – the status quo – and push instead for a with the CPSU NSW that negotiated outcome. prevents forced In response to the position jointly adopted redundancies of by the campus unions, the university tweaked Professional Staff or the online poll and insisted staff indicate a stand-downs without pay second preference in order to submit a valid as a result of COVID-19. vote. WA first of its kind in NSW, the Memorandum of Vicki Dodd, Chair of the CPSU NSW UOW Understanding means Professional Staff now have Branch, labelled the decision “deplorable” and job security, despite the devastating impact of the “nothing more than an attempt to rort the pandemic on the tertiary education sector. outcome”. In return, the staff at WSU will take leave “This survey has no credibility, none,” she between 28 September and 2 October and on said. “Universities around the country are 18 and 19 December. looking at ways to mitigate the financial Staff will also purchase additional leave which THE CPSU NSW pressure brought on by the pandemic and they can use during the next five years. The amount restrictions on international student travel. AND WSU TOOK A of “banked” additional leave will depend on the “We understand that, and staff and the salary level of the employee and is capped at eight DIFFERENT, MORE unions are willing to work constructively with days for senior staff. Payment for the ‘banked’ leave UOW to find solutions. It’s UOW’s staff who CONSTRUCTIVE will be via payroll deductions over a 13-week period, earned our university its place in the top helping to ease the pressure on the university’s APPROACH universities in the world. Where would we be finances. without their contribution? Thane Pearce, CPSU NSW Industrial Manager, “We’re calling on the Vice Chancellor to said the union’s priority was to avoid mass layoffs. stop the farce. Stop the chest-beating. Stop the “Many other universities are pursuing savage fear-mongering. Sit down with staff and their savings including job cuts and pay cuts of up to unions and talk. 25 per cent,” he said. “The CPSU NSW and WSU “Let’s behave like adults.” took a different, more constructive approach. “That way our members keep their jobs and the university is well placed to continue its success when the crisis is over.”

20 RED TAPE July-September 2020 UNIONS STOUSH OVER UNIVERSITY RESPONSE The CPSU NSW believes its members have been let down by what it considers a timid response to the university funding crisis by the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU). n the face of a dramatic slump in university funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NTEU and universities’ management announced a possible cut to wages of as much as 25 per cent. This was made without consultation with the ICPSU NSW or any other union representing university staff. The CPSU NSW represents non- academic staff in NSW universities. The NTEU draw its membership from both academic and non-academic staff. CPSU NSW Branch Assistant Secretary Troy Wright said the risks of the NTEU’s foot-in-both-camps approach have been exposed by the proposal, which will disproportionately affect lower-paid, non- academic staff. In a podcast to CPSU NSW members, Mr Wright said the NTEU was the “one union in the sector … that has made a deal with an unincorporated cluster of bosses”.

WE ARE OPPOSED TO to try and impose a process that had a “Having one national framework THIS FRAMEWORK BEING salary cut as its first step.” that they expect to be implemented Mr Wright said a “regressive” flat rate across the country is just completely IMPLEMENTED IN UNIVERSITIES pay cut will obviously hit low wage earners unrealistic.” THAT WE COVER harder. She added the NTEU “put on the “It hurts our members, who are table such drastic measures” without first Professional Staff and generally paid less seeing any financial information from than academics,” he said. universities. “Our view is by negotiating at a local In the same podcast, CPSU NSW “We are opposed to this framework level, you can find other savings that Branch Assistant Secretary Shelley being implemented in universities that we aren’t as punitive on staff and aren’t as Odewahn said the NTEU’s centralised cover,” said Mr Wright. “If it is, we will be onerous on staff and our members, such decision was unfair on regional campuses. opposing any variation to an enterprise as executive salaries, staff travel, capital “We make our decisions at a local agreement that comes out of it. works, borrowing, looking at the casual branch level,” said Ms Odewahn. “What “We would expect that the things we’ve workforce, in particular your contractors works for one institution will not work for tossed up should be considered first and your consultants, and even mandatory another. Our regional universities, which I and exhausted before anything happens leave,” said Mr Wright. “That is what we represent, are not in the same position as such as salary cuts, stand downs or have had success with already. our city-based universities. redundancies.” “Yet the NTEU thought it appropriate July-September 2020 RED TAPE 21 INDUSTRY, PLANNING ANDFEATURE ENVIRONMENT

PSA GETS COVERAGE Casuals kept on in National Parks ON AUSTRALIA’S After a summer protecting the ROOFTOP state during horrendous bushfires, casuals employed by the National Field officers in the Kosciusko Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) THIS IS A GOOD National Park will be protected by the were looking at unemployment RESULT FOR THE PSA PSA after a decision by the Industrial from March as parks closed. AND FOR MEMBERS Relations Commission (IRC). hen the PSA stepped in. The union held talks with Public IN KOSCIUSKO he decision comes about due to a Sector Industrial Relations in dispute between the PSA and the NATIONAL PARK order to secure employment for Australian Workers Union (AWU) casuals right across the public over which union represents sector. Department of Planning National Parks and Wildlife Service Industry and Environment (NPWS) Field Officers in the park, Secretary Jim Betts later confirmed that situated in southern NSW. In his Tlong-term casuals will continue to be employed ruling, Chief Commissioner Kite found “all until at least 25 September. Long-term casuals Temployees of NPWS, whatever their classification, are classed as those with greater than six are clearly within the coverage of the PSA”. months’ regular employment. “This is a good result for the PSA, and for “The PSA will continue fighting for members in Kosciusko National Park, who employment with meaningful work beyond will continue to receive excellent industrial this point,” said Industrial Manager Nathan representation,” said PSA Industrial Officer Michael Bradshaw. “To ensure casuals are protected Sinclair, who gave evidence on behalf of the union from any job losses we encourage those that at the Industrial Relations Commission. are not members to join the PSA.”

22 RED TAPE July-September 2020 CONNECT WITH Got an issue at work? YOUR Contact the Member Support Centre UNION Whatever questions you have the PSA/CPSU NSW is there for you. Whether it is a problem in your workplace, or a question about your membership, we have staff on hand to answer your questions. Here is how to connect with your union. * For workplace issues, email [email protected] * For queries relating to payment of your fees, email [email protected] * Telephone 1300 772 679 To see a full range of member benefits, see our websites.

160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 3365, Sydney NSW 2001 1300 772 679 [email protected] www.psa.asn.au @psansw (02) 9262 1623 [email protected] www.cpsunsw.org.au @cpsunsw

Authorised by Stewart Little, General Secretary, Public Service Association of NSW and State Branch Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union (SPSF Group) NSW Branch, 160 Clarence Street, Sydney MEMBERSHIPHEALTH

TAXING TIMES HAVE YOU Your union fees are a tax-deductible, work-related expense. By UPDATED YOUR mid-July the PSA/CPSU NSW will send you a tax statement with all your payments up to June 30, 2020. PROVIDENT FUND If you paid your union fees by: • Direct debit or monthly credit card We will email a COVERAGE? statement to you; The PSA/CPSU NSW Provident • Payroll deduction Your union fees will appear on your group Fund pays out $4000 to a certificate supplied by your employer; • Invoice You will have received a receipt at time of payment. nominated beneficiary in the Direct debit and credit card payers can also log into the case of your untimely death. Members’ Area of the PSA or CPSU NSW websites and embers are download their tax statement after July 1, 2020. encouraged to Now is a good time to view and update all your details in our Members’ Area. log onto the PSA or CPSU NSW site to Extend the coverage: how to insure your family update their beneficiaries, The membership fees paid by PSA/CPSU NSW members include particularly if they have had a Mchange of family circumstance. Personal Injury Insurance. “This is part of your membership,” For just $11 a year, this coverage can be It also provides professional tutorial said Manager Member Services Kym extended to cover your immediate family. services by a suitably qualified teacher Ward. “Please ensure your records are The coverage includes domestic home during the continuous ongoing up to date; it only takes five minutes help to assist in the care of anyone restriction from attendance of school by to update your beneficiary.” injured. anyone injured.

As part of the PSA/CPSU NSW Bushfire Relief Fund, we are giving away 10 $1000 BIG4 Holiday Parks accommodation vouchers that can be used at any BIG4 location including at 18 venues on the South YOUR Coast of NSW to help bring back business to areas affected by the CHANCE 2019/2020 bushfires. No need to fill out an entry form! If you are a financial member of the TO WIN PSA or CPSU NSW, you are automatically in the draw. Entry to the PSA’s Bushfire Relief Fund Holiday Giveaway is automatic for PSA and CPSU NSW financial members only. One winner will be drawn every Thursday between 23/07/2020 and 24/09/2020. Authorised under NSW permit number: LTPS/20/43890. For further terms and conditions, please visit www.psa.asn.au/ bushfire-relief-fund-holiday-giveaway-terms-and-conditions/.

160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 3365, Sydney NSW 2001 Authorised 1300 by Stewart 772 679 Little, General [email protected] Secretary , Public Service www.psa.asn.au Association of NSW @psansw and State Branch Secretary, Community (02) 9262 1623and Public [email protected] Sector Union (SPSF Group) www.cpsunsw.org.au NSW Branch, 160 Clarence @cpsunsw Street, Sydney

24 RED TAPE July-September 2020 Printed by Printelligence Group Pty Ltd, Unit 14, 48-50 Hill Street Marrickville Sydney, NSW 2204

1300 772 679 www.psa.asn.au @psansw @psansw

1300 772 679 www.cpsunsw.org.au @cpsunsw

1300 772 679 www.psa.asn.au www.cpsunsw.org.au @psansw @psansw @cpsunsw

Authorised by Stewart Little, General Secretary, Public Service Association of NSW and State Branch Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union (SPSF Group) NSW Branch, 160 Clarence Street, Sydney PSA RELIEF FUND HELPS MEMBERS RECOVER FROM BUSHFIRES Putting your life back together of her community while her home burned. home of six horses. For weeks she had Since that night, the recovery has been been evacuating her horses when the fires after bushfires have gutted slower than she hoped. Months later, she threatened and returning them when the your property is a long was still unsure when her life would finally threat abated. and difficult task. Damage get back to normal. “We expected the fire to come from “You can get very down and you need the same direction it had once before. needs to be surveyed and the support of people around you. I was Then we saw it coming over the hill in documented, reports made and lucky to have an understanding Principal a direction we didn’t expect, flanking claims filed. And when the job at my school who gave me the time I the side of a hill and moving down needed,” said Ms Odgers. towards us,” said Ms Mills, recalling the appears insurmountable, it is “Receiving the money from the PSA was night she and her daughter were forced important to know someone is wonderful at such a difficult time. It enabled to flee their home. She acted to save her ready to support you in your us to get things we didn’t even realise we family and her horses, barely managing had lost. It is really encouraging to know to stuff three bales of feed into a car time of need. your union is there to help you. And it was a before they left. That’s why the PSA/CPSU NSW boost not just in terms of money. It gave me Firetrucks smashed through her farm launched its NSW Bushfire Relief Fund the motivation to fight on.” gates in a desperate rush to meet the to give $1,000 to eligible members An image that defined a crisis flames. The crews battled and saved her home. Everything else on her property was whose properties were totally or It is one of the defining images of the lost, her truck burnt out, her boat melted, partially destroyed in last summer’s bushfires – a majestic horse running her horse tack destroyed. fires. The Fund helps members begin to towards the camera as the flames engulf While nothing can replace the put their lives back together and shows the land behind it. It was used by multiple equipment and the memories that their fellow members care and media in Australia and internationally accumulated over a lifetime of owning support them. to show the terror of the Australian fire horses, Ms Mills is grateful for the support Susan Odgers, Technology Officer season. the PSA provided through the money at Moorland Public School, almost For Jane Mills, Team Leader at the from the relief fund. lost everything in the fires. While her Berry Street Group Home in Nowra, the “We plan to use the PSA money to house remained standing, it was badly photo meant something different. It was install a new automatic gate to replace damaged by a burning tree that fell her horse, Elmo. And her property burning the one knocked down by the fire through her roof. Her sheds, water in the background. The media’s constant trucks. The new gate will help my co- tanks and other vital equipment were use of the image just reminded her of the owner who struggles with many other destroyed. devastation the fires had on her property gates due to his disability. And a few As secretary of the Tinonee Rural Fire in the Shoalhaven. new rugs for the horses for winter are Brigade, Ms Odgers was helping organise It was New Year’s Eve when the fires also on the list.” an evacuation of more than 100 members finally came to Ms Mills’s property, the

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 25 FEATURE

“I commenced duty in the Western Lands OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE Commission on 28 April 1980,” he said. His career EVERY ONE OF THESE ESSENTIAL WORKERS incorporated a number of agencies: the Personnel ROLES IS ESSENTIAL, Branch of the Lands Department, the Premier’s When Craig Wheeler goes to work Department, the then-newly created State Drug EVERY WORKER A Crime Commission, the Land Titles Office, the in the morning, he knows he is CHAMPION Police Department and the Department of performing an essential role, keeping Juvenile Justice, before moving to Parliament safe one of the most valuable things House after narrowly missing out on a position with the Olympic Games Authority. in Australia: democracy. Craig’s story is one among many within Champion of the State for 40 years, Australia’s biggest employer, the NSW Public Craig is Manager of Human Service. This leviathan ranges from desk-bound Resource Operations at the clerical staff to people working under the skies Department of Parliamentary in national parks and on the right side of prison Services, “working to directly support bars. Daily, the Champions of the State educate, the Members of the NSW incarcerate, license, maintain, heal, prevent, fight, Parliament, creating the best appease, adjudicate, legislate, convict, defend, plant, environment for them to operate and generate chop down, hunt, protect and a raft of other tasks Alegislation, benefiting and serving the people of NSW”. on behalf of the people of the state. Just one of the hundreds of thousands of such Every one of these roles is essential, every champions, Craig has worked in Parliament House worker a champion for the people they serve. for 20 years, having held a number of public sector “The Public Service has been a cornerstone roles in the preceding two decades. throughout the history of NSW,” said Craig. “It

26 RED TAPE July-September 2020 provides so many vital frontline services, an example In the last days of government-run disability of which is the great job our health workers are services, Stewart also worked in a group home. doing during the current COVID pandemic.” “I have worked alongside amazing public sector In recent months, the public has developed a workers, who make NSW a great place to live and new-found admiration for the public sector, as work,” he said. “Now, as the General Secretary of state-employed workers were at the frontline in the union representing public servants throughout battles with bushfires, then COVD-19. Away from NSW, I feel privileged to be the one pushing the headlines, though, NSW’s essential workers forward their interests. have always been fighting on behalf of the state. “Recent disasters have made people sit up and Bushfires and pandemics win headlines. Yet notice how vital a well-resourced public sector is. unsung Child Protection Workers are helping at-risk All our members are Champions of the State.” children, Housing staff are working to alleviate homelessness and Legal Aid staff are defending the penniless. There are School Learning Support Officers helping kids to keep up, Park Rangers looking out for species on the edge of extinction and TAFE staff forging career paths for students once thought unemployable. Champions of the State are there for the everyday, too. Issuing licences, registering “hatches, matches and dispatches”, supporting students, maintaining schools, locking prison cells, judging disputes and growing forests.

WE KEEP YOU INFORMED Damian, Powerhouse Museum “We keep the cultural heritage of NSW for posterity,” said Damian McDonald, who has worked at the Powerhouse Museum in Ultimo since 2000. “We keep artifacts, archives and objects of state, national and international significance for the people of NSW. We keep them, we interpret them, we preserve them, we conserve them, and we provide access to all those collections.” The Powerhouse is just one of the many cultural institutions in NSW staffed by PSA members. WE HAVE A VISION FOR THE FUTURE These essential workers are also found in the halls OF THE PSA, OUR UNION, OUR STATE of the Art Gallery of NSW, the Australian Museum, Stewart, PSA the Opera House, Sydney Living Museums and the State Library. These Champions of the State keep With a career in the public service behind him, PSA alive the collective memory of NSW. General Secretary Stewart Little knows how important Despite being a permanent hub for school groups, the Champions of the State are to the people of NSW. tourists and families, the Powerhouse is under Stewart worked in the library at State threat thanks to the constant thirst developers have Parliament during the minority government years for inner city land. The NSW Government wants of John Fahey. His work and that of his colleagues to move the museum to a site in Parramatta. Not kept crossbenchers informed during this time of only will this involve a colossal amount of taxpayers’ political turmoil. money, it will also put the collection at risk of “It is a great feeling knowing you are keeping flooding and place it in a location fewer tourists visit. the parliamentary system honest,” he said.

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 27 FEATURE

public sector. The brutality of the 2019-2020 bushfires that engulfed much of Australia alerted the nation to the vital work done by firefighters. In addition to its much-lauded volunteers, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) is staffed by Champions of the State like Jim Killen. Jim, who has been with the RFS since 2011, works as a Community Protection Planning Officer. Outside the bushfire season, Jim inspects communities and advises them of plans of action when confronted by blazes. During the season, he looks at the damage done to communities by fire and the risk to unburnt structures. “We are generally the first non-firefighting personnel at the site following the passage of the fire front,” he said. “We do need to have the ability WE KEEP YOU SAFE and qualifications to carry out tasks on an active Kylie, Corrections NSW safeKylie, NSW fire ground, so we are experienced and trained fire fighters in our own right.” “I like my job, no day is ever the same,” said Kylie The RFS is just one of the PSA’s membership McKelvie, who works in a non-custodial role areas affected by the fires. The union also covers at the Bathurst Correctional Centre. “You are members in Fire and Rescue, the National Parks reducing recidivism and helping inmates become and Wildlife Service, the State Emergency Service, individuals who can go out and integrate into and NSW Police and Forestry Corp. Members in the contribute to society.” Department of Community Services, Service NSW Kylie, the President of the PSA, works to provide and Housing have also been on the ground and by services and behaviour change programs for the phone, helping communities devastated by fire. inmates in the prison. She works on issues such as preventing self-harm, as well as social and education programs to ease the often-daunting transition from inmate to civilian. “We deal with welfare needs, education, housing issues, even issuing them Medicare cards,” said Kylie.

SAS STAFF ARE THE COGS IN THE WHEELHOUSE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION

WE LOOK AFTER THE FUTURE AND THE PRESENT Brett, Royal Botanic Gardens “It hardly seems like a chore to go to work,” says Dr Brett Summerell, who has worked at the Royal WE RISK OUR LIVES Botanic Gardens since January 1989. “I am very Jim, Rural Fire Service lucky in that context as I have the opportunity to It takes adversity for many people to truly do what I love for a career. appreciate the essential role played by the NSW “There are always new challenges and new

28 RED TAPE July-September 2020 opportunities in the science and conservation where the State Government acknowledged it was space – and the Gardens themselves are always underpaying its essential workers in schools and changing. And I love the opportunity of working awarded them a substantial pay increase. with a group of colleagues who are equally “Public education caters for every child in passionate about the things I care about.” a community, whatever their ability, wherever At first glance, the three Royal Botanic Gardens they live, and whatever their background,” she sites, in Sydney, Mt Tomah and Mt Annan, offer said. “Those who can’t afford private education tranquility to those lucky enough to visit. But, have nothing to be concerned about from an thanks to the work of essential workers like Dr academic perspective. Public schools exceed Summerell, the gardens are more than just an the performance of private schools with highly ideal spot to spread out a picnic rug. As Australia’s professional teaching staff stretching students to oldest scientific institution, their research and their full learning potential. Furthermore, public education facilities are helping NSW understand schools play a significant role in the general its past, both pre- and post-European arrival, and improvement of their respective communities. prepare for an uncertain future. “I am proud to be a public servant and “NSW would absolutely be worse off if the committed to providing excellent service to the Gardens did not exist,” said Brett. “They are a really community and our students in public schools.” valued public green space for the community to use and enjoy. Education programs for school kids inspire them in science and sustainability and science programs document our plants and provide leadership in the conservation of plants. “They are extremely important for understanding the impacts of a changing climate on the natural environment, ensuring that plants do not become extinct because of climate change and providing advice about how to plan for sustainable ecosystems and to restore ecosystems that are climate-change ready.”

WE KEEP THE STATE MOVING Tim, Transport for NSW Motorists drive past Tim Smith’s workplace not realising it may have already saved their lives. A Champion of the State, Mr Smith works in heavy-vehicle compliance on the M1, the major route joining Sydney, Newcastle and Brisbane. There he and his colleagues check large trucks for proper weight ratios and roadworthiness, and make sure drivers aren’t fatigued. Without workers like him on the roads, “I wouldn’t be putting a family in a car and driving to Brisbane for a holiday, that’s for sure”. WE KEEP SCHOOLS RUNNING “We say our job is to prevent something that hasn’t Wendy, Schools happened yet,” he said. “I like to think I have saved a “School Administrative and Support staff are family’s life by keeping dangerous vehicles off the road. the cogs in the wheelhouse of public education,” If a truck is involved in an accident it is much more said Wendy Hurry, who started work at Sawtell likely you will get a fatality.” Public School in June 1989 and is now a Vice Mr Smith’s essential role gets him up close with President at the PSA. In this role with the PSA drivers, so it is vital they retain good relations with she contributed to the union’s Pay Equity case, the men and women transporting freight on the

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 29 FEATURE

state’s roads. To him and his colleagues, this job For Brendan and other Champions of the State is about cooperation, not a fight between truckies in the Department, this is mentally tough work. He and testers. said staff have different strategies to deal with the “We are here to keep freight moving, ” he said. confronting information they come across. “You always have the element of vehicles that “It can be a struggle to maintain a professional are going to be dangerous, but the vast majority distance from the harrowing material you read of the drivers are normal guys going about their without being completely disconnected from the business.” case,” he said. Mr Smith says one of the strengths of the state “We fill so many roles. We are not just faceless monitoring vehicles is that everyone tested at the grey bureaucrats, we do things like help children and centres, whether owner-drivers or employees of large people across the state.” trucking firms, is treated the same. “We take every case on merit,” he said. “If it was privatised, you could be influenced by other factors. But the public service treats everyone equally. “It’s a good job with good conditions our union has won for us.”

WE ARE NOT JUST FACELESS GREY AND OUR COMMITMENT HAS NEVER BUREAUCRATS, WE WAVERED HELP CHILDREN John, Fisheries ACROSS THE STATE For the past 10 years, John Staines’s “office” has stretched from the headwaters of the Clarence WE LOOK AFTER THE MOST River out into the Pacific. A Compliance Officer at the Maclean office of VULNERABLE Fisheries, Mr Staines is part of a state-wide team Brendan, Department of Community Services entrusted to ensure NSW fishing stocks are not The essential work by PSA members like Brendan depleted by people taking more than their fair share. McMenamin helps protect children from abuse. “Fish resources are a common property resource; “I’m based in the Community Services state- something people can extract from,” he said. “They wide service,” said Brendan. “Other organisations are not a farm, where an owner profits from a seek information we have to help them make private plot. If there is not someone there to protect decisions around a child.” and regulate fish stocks and make sure the take is The groups contacting Brendan’s area include sustainable, the state’s fisheries will be gone.” foster parenting organisations and other Enforcing legislation is something Mr departments. He said that without this team Staines, who has worked for Fisheries of essential workers, “other people outside my throughout NSW for 21 years, believes is an department working with children would be forced essential role for the state. to make decisions on how to keep children safe “It’s been attempted in places overseas, with without all the information they need”. police in the US and that sort of thing, but “Ultimately children would be placed at risk and be enforcement is difficult to privatise,” he said. “You abused,” he said. “People who should not be able to have to remain independent. You have to make work with children would be able to work with them.” decisions without prejudice. You have to be neutral.”

30 RED TAPE July-September 2020 As with so many Champions of the State, Mr Staines gets up and goes to more than just a job. “I like being able to make a difference to fish resources and serving the public,” he said. “I get a kick out of helping people and teaching about the fishing law. I get enjoyment protecting the fish resources. That is what motivates me.”

WE ARE YOUR CHAMPIONS Nicole, State Emergency Service Working in the State Emergency Service (SES) Operations Centre in Wollongong, Nicole Harding is ready for Mother Nature’s worst. “We monitor the weather and activate units to sites like road crash rescues and cliff rescues,” said Nicole, who has been a Communications Officer with the SES for 14 years. “We are the combat centre for floods, storms and tsunamis.” WE’RE OVER 120 YEARS OLD BUT The SES relies on nearly 10,000 volunteers throughout NSW and the Champions of the State WE’RE NOT JUST THE PUBLIC SERVICE like Nicole who are there to support them. Nicole, Corrections NSW “I am not just an essential worker, I am a frontline worker and should be recognised as such,” said Senior Correctional Officer Nicole Jess, who is also Chair of the PSA’s Prison Officers Vocational Branch. “Corrective Service Officers are Champions of the State, but we do not get recognised as much as Police, Ambulance and the Fire Brigade. We do all their jobs within the confines of gaol walls and fences. “We are first responders and we deal with what society does not want to know about or deal with. Most of society just want to hear about how people are arrested and taken off the street. They do not care what happens after that. “But each day we go to work with some of the WE STAND BY ONE ANOTHER. worst of the worst. We put our lives on the line Suzanne, Youth Justice and we do it with less recognition than that of other frontline essential workers and with fewer For 12 years, Suzanne Evans has been changing conditions in our workers’ compensation. We are young people’s lives. the forgotten brothers and sisters. “Working in Youth Justice, there is more hope “The risks we face have never before been more than despair,” said Suzanne, who works at the evident than in the COVID-19 crisis and the amount Riverina Youth Justice Centre, a 30-bed venue of riots, assaults we endure. ” for young offenders. “I don’t think you could

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 31 FEATURE

work here if you did not have hope. You look for “It has to be a neutral organisation,” he said. the positives. “We have no agenda, compared to the faith- “I just love working with young people and based organisations that are clamouring to take having the opportunity to help them reach their our place.” full potential. Sometimes these potentials can seem quite small to some people but they are still achievements.” Suzanne says the thanks for her work often comes years later, when young people are no longer under her care but are living their lives outside the Youth Justice System. “You often get thanked when you run into kids on the outside,” she said. “They’ll say thanks and ask about other staff members. You know you’ve had an impact on their lives. It is the best when you hear about kids who have gone on to full-time jobs and had families. That is fulfilling.” Youth Justice is just one essential cog in the public-run machinery that keeps NSW operating. “The state is lost without public servants,” said this Champion of the State. “We keep the state WE ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE STATE running and we keep it safe.” Janice, Service NSW Even when a pandemic sends much of an economy into a tailspin, there is essential face-to-face work to be done. Driver’s licences don’t renew themselves, cars and boats need to be registered, youngsters need to be protected with working- with-children checks and so on. Janice Hartmann started working for the then- Roads and Traffic Authority in 2000. Twenty years on, this Champion of the State is an integral part of its successor, Service NSW. Service NSW is the frontline of government in NSW. It is the office, the call centre or the web page that delivers so many of the services provided to people by the State Government. When initiatives, such as sporting and cultural education assistant grants for school students are GOVERNMENTS COME AND GO, BUT rolled out, usually it is Service NSW that delivers the goods. CHAMPIONS STAY FOREVER “Without us here at Service NSW, the state Troy, PSA would grind to a halt,” said Janice. “Service NSW “State employees offer objective, professional does everything. If we closed even for one day, it service to the people of NSW,” said PSA Assistant would be pandemonium.” General Secretary Troy Wright, who began his During the bushfire recovery, Service NSW career in the public service in 1997 with the then staff were on hand to help communities recover Probation and Parole Department, which is now and obtain the different types of government Community Corrections. assistance available. For Troy, the public service is the only body that Janice says thanks to the PSA’s work, can properly operate a service such as parole and “management is more flexible than it used to be”. probation. “I like the ability to work from home if

32 RED TAPE July-September 2020 required,” she said. “I like the flexibility. And if I “Housing is so essential. A roof over your want to learn a new skill, I can, due to the diverse head is so important. Everything else can range of work we do.” follow that. “I have always loved going out and checking people are OK. I can get them into better accommodation and away from things like domestic violence. “I am happy I get paid to get up in the morning do this type of work.”

WITHOUT US HERE AT SERVICE NSW, THE WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE STATE STATE WOULD GRIND Angela, Housing TO A HALT “This is more than a job,” said Angela Denham, who has worked with the Housing for 27 years. “I am a Client Service Officer working in Letting, where we select people off the waiting list for WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE STATE vacant properties.” Brook, TAFE In the notoriously expensive Sydney housing “If it wasn’t for us, TAFE students would suffer, market, Ms Denham says her work is essential for and ultimately the community suffers,” said Brook the state. Without her and her fellow Champions Down, who works as an Operations Manager for of the State, countless people would be facing life the government vocational education provider. “If without a roof over their heads. students don’t get the quality time they need at “We are getting homeless people off the streets TAFE, they don’t become the quality tradespeople and out of things like couch surfing,” she said. “We the community needs.” are getting them into affordable housing.” Mr Down, who has been at the Coffs Harbour She said people become homeless for a variety TAFE campus for 19 years, reckons the good of reasons, not just a lack of finance. part of his job is “working side-by-side” with “We are helping people with mental health and the commercial cookery, baking and hospitality domestic violence issues,” Angela said. students at the campus. She says the public sector always needs to “They start their course clueless and they have a role in housing the vulnerable, adding finish tradesmen and women – all qualified,” he that many community housing organisations said. “Long after they graduate, they still come in the same field have their own agendas, often up to me when they see me out and talk about limiting their intake according to criteria such their course.” as age or gender. Without TAFE, he said many young people “They don’t look after all the people who fall would have no hope of rewarding careers, through the cracks,” she said. “For many there is particularly in areas such as the Mid North nowhere else for them to go but us. We have no Coast, which have traditionally had high youth agenda.” unemployment. In common with many essential public servants, “Not everyone is a uni student – not everyone is Ms Denham thinks of her career as more than a even a high school student,” he said. “But there is a means to a fortnightly pay packet. place for everyone at TAFE.” “This is more than a job to me,” she said.

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 33 HEALTH

Matters of life and death How the Champions of the State at the Ministry of Health took on a pandemic.

On Saturday, January 25, as the nation the loads in emergency rooms through to of The Bunker could be ongoing, 24 hours eased into its Australia Day weekend, a the capacity of hospitals to deliver critical a day,” she said. team of NSW health workers confirmed care to COVID-19 patients. “With the health of the entire the first COVID-19 cases in NSW. Alongside the SHEOC was the Public community at stake, people were working The three patients had arrived from Health Emergency Operations Centre to well after midnight. The commitment China earlier in the month and were being (PHEOC), which had the vital role of was incredible. And weekends offered no treated in hospital. The search began for identifying cases, tracing people who had respite. These were people working under other potentially infected travellers. come in contact with COVID-19, and incredible levels of stress. The pressure Within a week, restrictions were placed managing outbreaks in the community. must have had an impact, not only on on travellers from China. Within six If COVID-19 was going to be contained, them but also their families.” weeks, the travel ban extended to all both teams needed to be successful. foreign nationals. By the end of March, In the early stages of the fight, SHEOC Data drives decisions restaurants, pubs, clubs, cinemas and and PHEOC were relocated to the NSW The infectious diseases team were the key places of worship were closed. Australia Rural Fire Service’s State Operations players in The Bunker. They had prepared was in lockdown. Centre facilities at Homebush in Sydney, to better co-ordinate their responses. The Champions of the state move health teams were joined by experts from to the bunker other government agencies, NSW Police and external experts. This command IF YOU WANT A STRONG AND From day one, the staff of the NSW centre became known as “The Bunker”. Ministry of Health were there for the HEALTHY PUBLIC, YOU NEED And it is an example of public service at people of the state. They led the NSW A STRONG AND HEALTHY its most efficient, where dedicated people response to the COVID-19 crisis. These work together with a simple goal – stop Champions of the State were found PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM the virus and save lives. analysing data, developing responses, This was a perfect example of adjusting and readjusting advice as Champions of the State performing vital circumstances required it. The large work to keep NSW healthy. team of committed public sector health for a pandemic like this, honing their skills professionals worked around the clock Incredible commitment on previous threats such as influenza, to prevent COVID-19 from spreading measles and the SARS coronavirus. Data throughout the community and Working on the same floor as The Bunker became The Bunker’s essential tool, as overwhelming the public health system. allowed Julie Westacott from the Centre containing the pandemic depended on The Ministry’s work was led by two teams for Aboriginal Health to witness its knowing how sick people become and how with complementary but distinct tasks. operations up close. quickly it was spreading. The first was the State Health Emergency “The working conditions in The Bunker Each morning, test results and Operations Centre (SHEOC), responsible were anything but normal. These Ministry infection data came in from across the for managing public health resources; from staff were rostered on to shifts so the work state. This information was used to drive

34 RED TAPE July-September 2020 strategies and to provide advice to other teleconferences and chat groups became new jobs. Ad hoc responses became full agencies. digital conversations, replacing face-to- information scripts. The centre developed When COVID-19 threatened prisons, face discussions. As Olivia explained, her an efficient structure with team leaders it was Ministry staff who provided advice. team and others in the Ministry knew and training. After social distancing forced most the responsibility they had to the public “Many people view Ministry staff as students to move to at-home learning, required them to adapt to a new way of policy people – bureaucrats pushing paper NSW Health advised on when it was safe working. – but it is very operational,” said Mr Ward. for teaching to return to the classroom. “A remote work environment requires “Everyone in the Ministry was asking ‘how you to be very intentional in your can I help?’ No-one was saying. ‘This isn’t Protecting vulnerable approach, particularly when you have to my job’.” communities pull together a group of colleagues on a project. You need to co-ordinate when Public health before private Data on the number and location of new people are available. profit infections guided the state-wide response, “The initial phase of the crisis was but Ministry staff knew they needed to “The COVID-19 crisis should end any understandably pressured as everyone adapt strategies to meet the needs of debate on the importance of a strong, faced massive changes. But we adapted different parts of the community. Some well-resourced public health system in quickly and found new ways to work sectors were more vulnerable than others, NSW,” said PSA General Secretary Stewart effectively as a team,” Ms Simes said. such as indigenous communities living in Little. remote locations who had limited or no Fix the problem Many other countries learned this access to critical care facilities if they fell lesson the hard way. After years of ill with the virus. Throughout the crisis, teams and budget cuts and privatisations, Italy’s Julie Westacott said helping remote individuals had risen to meet any National Healthcare Service teetered indigenous communities through the on collapse before the recruitment of COVID-19 crisis was vital work. 20,000 additional public healthcare “Remote communities offer a unique EACH WEEK THE TEAM GOT workers. Spain needed to nationalise challenge,” she said. “An important aspect its private hospitals as the nation of Aboriginal culture is the community BIGGER AND BETTER AT went into lockdown. Without a gathering, which posed a higher risk of DOING THEIR NEW JOBS national healthcare system and COVID-19 infection. with its decentralised approach to “Our team focused on communicating healthcare, US health institutions with remote communities, explaining the found themselves in a bidding war for risks of infection and the importance health supplies and ventilators, with of social distancing, as well as supplying challenge thrown at them. People were hospitals, cities and states competing packages of personal protective performing a range of tasks, regardless with each other. equipment. We had amazing co-operation of whether these were part of their job “The doctors, nurses and hospital from the communities, which ensured the description or not. workers have received many plaudits rate of infection stayed low.” John Ward from the Population Health throughout the crisis – and rightly Services usually deals with such complex so,” said Mr Little. “They have been Teams pulling together societal issues as obesity and drug abuse. remarkable. But the quiet heroes of the But he was thrust into a new role at the As individuals were taken out of their NSW Health Ministry, whose decisions start of the crisis in January when the regular jobs and moved into The Bunker, have helped support and direct those on Ministry’s phone system was overwhelmed. their colleagues needed to take on the frontlines, also deserve recognition. He was told to “fix it”. additional responsibilities and duties. “The COVID-19 crisis forced “Within two hours we had pulled Olivia Simes of the Ministry of Health’s many inside and out of government together a team of six and we had a call Policy and Funding Reform team said the to reevaluate the importance of the centre set up,” he said. “People were increased workload was coupled with a public health system. Without the looking for information and the first place move to have anyone who could work from professionalism and dedication of the they searched was ‘NSW Health’ which home do so. Ministry’s employees, the number of cases gave them the Ministry’s number. We just “The move to working from home in NSW would be higher, and the lasting had to start taking calls and finding out happened quickly and there were some impact on individuals and businesses how we can help people.” challenges,” said Ms Simes. “There was much greater. The performance of the The call centre become a key element the usual work that needed to be done, Ministry shows that if you want a strong of the Ministry’s response, dealing with but you also had to deal with priorities and healthy public, you need a strong and hundreds of calls a day on issues ranging resulting from the health crisis. As people healthy public health system. from wearing face masks through to were moved to COVID-19 roles there was “These members proudly stand offering to volunteer. And each week the more work across the entire state.” among the ranks of NSW’s Champions team got bigger and better at doing their Technology became essential – of the State.”

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 35 FEATURE

VIRUS HIGHLIGHTS A FUNDING SHORTFALL

It has taken a pandemic to expose per cent of all Australian university students were from mainland China. This meant a fatal flaw in the country’s tertiary governments could get away with neglecting education sector. funding for education, treating it more like he sudden drop in student an exportable commodity than an education numbers, due to the COVID-19 service. pandemic, has exposed a weak Not only were there complaints about slips in system that is overly reliant on academic standards to bring in more students – overseas students, allowing public and more money – but this also left the sector GOVERNMENTS funding of universities to flounder. vulnerable to any sudden drop in numbers. Enter Enrolments plummeted as the COVID-19 pandemic. USED TO CONSIDER COVID-19 left students in their home countries Incoming visitors from China, where COVID-19 Tand campuses closed. As a result, Australian first broke out, were the first prevented from EDUCATION SPENDING universities are looking at an estimated income entering the country. Soon after, restrictions were TO BE AN INVESTMENT shortfall of nearly $5 billion. placed on all non-residents entering Australia, IN THE FUTURE. WE Looking for cost savings, university cutting off other big sources such as Brazil, administrations have employees in their sights. Malaysia and South Korea. Soon enough, teaching NEED TO GET BACK The University of NSW began talking about pay moved online to avoid lecture theatres becoming TO THAT WAY OF cuts and reductions to work hours, with other petri dishes, providing further disincentives to study. THINKING institutions soon to follow. The National Tertiary Education Union, without consulting the CPSU More pain may be to come, with Chinese NSW, agreed with this approach. officials making noises about discouraging the More ominously for staff, universities do not country’s citizens from studying in Australia qualify for JobKeeper wage subsidy payments. after a diplomatic spat between Canberra and Beijing. How did we get here? The Australian university sector has been affected by heavy reliance on one market for Last year Australia was, per capita, the world students in the past. A decade ago, following a leader in educating foreign students; more series of violent assaults on Indian students, the than twice as reliant as Britain, the second- number of enrolments from that country dropped placed country. In 2019, more than a quarter to less than half its previous level. of enrolments were international students. Ten

36 RED TAPE July-September 2020 Worth every cent At Southern Cross University, for example, people are enrolling to upskill for a tougher job market. CPSU NSW Industrial Manager Thane Pearce However, the Universities Admissions Centre has says it is vital the Federal Government takes a warned of a shortfall of places. multilateral approach, dig into its pockets and It is not just the union movement that is bridge the income gap left by the widespread demanding more be done to reduce the risk of departure of overseas students. overseas fluctuations in student numbers. The “We need to take a look at how each university right-of-centre libertarian think tank the Centre for has been affected by cuts to overseas student Independent Studies last year condemned Australia’s numbers,” he said. “Different universities have tertiary education sector’s over-reliance on overseas been affected at different levels.” fee-paying students, particularly those from China. Mr Pearce said immediate action is required Its report, The China Student Boom and the Risks it to keep members in work, and well-resourced Poses to Australian Universities, described depending universities bringing students back. on students from one country to be a “multimillion- “Higher education is now Australia’s third- dollar gamble” and that “many leading Australian largest export earner and we need to ensure the universities … must begin to wean themselves off sector remains well positioned to succeed in a their addiction to international students”. post-pandemic globalised market,” he said. “Australian universities are world class,” said the “Professional Staff are worth every cent.” CPSU NSW’s Mr Wright. “The Grattan Institute Until the universities have fixed their funding, think tank found ‘Australia’s research performance the CPSU NSW is warning against cuts to pay is strong. Australian academics are over-represented and conditions. Branch Assistant Secretary, Troy as authors of the world’s most cited research Wright, has written to vice chancellors advising them the union will oppose cuts to staff pay rates. “We’re obviously going to work constructively with our public universities, as they reposition themselves in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mr Wright. “I think, frankly, we’re all appalled by the inadequacy of the Federal Government’s response, given the importance of the tertiary education sector to the economy. “We’ve said that before universities go down the route of changing enterprise agreements and mass redundancies, they must look for savings in non- essential expenditure like capital projects, travel costs, executive bonuses and contingent labour. “We have said we’re unlikely to support any proposal that allows universities to force publications [and] Australian universities do well in employees into part-time employment. We’ll international rankings of research universities’. actively oppose any attempt to reduce existing “These universities need unshackling from professional staff rates of pay.” fluctuating incomes that make it hard to plan Mr Wright said more money needs to be and put our members under pressure.” invested in tertiary education. Universities in regional centres play a vital role “Education is not just an export like coal, in creating local jobs, supporting local businesses it is an investment in the country’s future.” and boosting local cultural life. Investing in staff, including Professional Staff, “You say goodbye to the university, you say goodbye pays off. Universities Australia has worked out that to local shops, restaurants and pubs,” said Mr Wright. for every $1 invested in higher education research, “Governments used to consider education spending $5 is returned to GDP. to be an investment in the future and not an The highly regarded Australian university sector impediment to the holy grail of a budget surplus. We is a vital cog in the research machine looking into need to return to that way of thinking. developing a vaccine for COVID-19. “Local businesses would agree that CPSU NSW Fortunately, signs are emerging of more domestic Professional Staff are worth every cent.” enrolments in institutions to make up the shortfall.

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 37 FEATURE

Images courtesy of National Library of Australia No time for wage cuts We’ve been here before. And we know the route not to take. But does the Government?

n the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, extremist supply-side approach is the last thing the world economy is in trouble once NSW needs as it restarts its economy from the again. Governments will have reduced tax shutdown. NOT ONLY WILL revenues, unemployment queues will be Describing moves to cut public wages as “a WAGE GROWTH BE long and welfare bills high. Numerous knee-jerk temptation”, the Centre for Future Work’s businesses, large and small, will have report The Same Mistake Twice: The Self-Defeating HAMPERED, BUT OUR closed, while continuing travel and Consequences of Public Sector Pay Freezes outlines SAVINGS WILL TAKE fraternisation restrictions will severely curtail the how slashing state salaries hurts not only public Irebound of industries such as hospitality, tourism, servants but also the wider economy. A CUT education and professional sport. “There is a consensus among analysts from For many in power, the response to these many different perspectives that Australia’s circumstances will be to cut spending and wait economic performance in recent years has been for better times ahead. And for PSA and CPSU held back by unprecedented weakness in wage NSW members, this would mean no pay rises, growth,” reads the report. cuts to services and job losses. At the time of As the report points out, the less people earn, press, State Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has the less they spend: “The many consequences of refused to agree to this year’s 2.5 per cent pay that wages slowdown include stressed household rise for NSW public servants. finances, weak consumer spending (with negative But research from the Centre for Future Work, implications for GDP growth and job-creation), a think tank based in Sydney, has found this wider inequality, and a chronic failure of monetary policy to hit inflation targets.”

38 RED TAPE July-September 2020 A big risk is deflation, where prices actually go backwards. This is a disaster for an economy as consumers hold off making purchases in the hope that the prices of goods and services drop further, in turn plummeting the country deeper into recession. Not only will wage growth be hampered, but also our savings will take a cut. Australia’s unique superannuation system relies on incremental contributions to people’s accounts. A cut in the next few years will be felt later on, when people retire with less to spend and will have a greater need to access public-funded pensions. Australian policymakers looking at excessive belt-tightening cannot say they were not warned. In 2007 and 2008, the world entered the Global Financial Crisis, triggered by a depreciation in the subprime mortgage market in the United States. All over the world, with a few notable exceptions, unemployment rose, economic outlooks slumped and recessions bit. Australia was spared the worst of the effects with its export-led economy and what turned out to be great advice from Australia’s then Treasury Secretary Ken Henry: “go hard, go early, go households”, triggering increases in spending that staved off a recession that hit everywhere else. cuts to public spending. The NSW Government However, while Canberra spent, governments at imposed cuts of up to one third to public sector various levels still used the downturn as an excuse wages. The result was a decade-long depression to impose cuts to public sector wages, a move as consumer spending plummeted. Without the that still has negative repercussions on the entire Second World War, the downturn could have lasted Australian economy. even longer. Cuts to public sector wages led to a drop in The results of cutting public sector wage growth the amount the private sector needed to pay its will be felt for decades. Now is not the time for workers, resulting in sluggish wages growth that governments to tighten the purse strings. Not only had Australia heading to a recession well before will continued pay growth help our members, it the double whammy of bushfire and COVID-19. will also boost the economy they work in. In Britain, the Conservative Party introduced its infamous “austerity” program, limiting public wage growth to the extent that nurses and other essential workers in some regions were forced to supplement household budgets with visits to food banks and other charity sources. The result was not just a poorly performing economy for more than a decade, but also a sense of social exclusion that was exploited by parties such as the UK Independence Party and the Conservatives’ hard right rump, resulting in the disastrous exit from the European Union. That decision by a desperate populace will result in years of economic pain for Britain. The Global Financial Crisis was not the first time austerity in the face of a downturn backfired. Further back, governments worldwide responded to the 1929 stock market crash with widespread

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 39 WOMENHEALTH

Domestic violence: get help The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in calls to domestic violence services. At present, just over one woman per week is murdered in Australia by a current or former partner. Conservative governments have consistently under- funded the much-needed services in this area, including those staffed and run by PSA members. Members are at the frontline of this national scourge and more funding is needed not only for their work, but also for all domestic violence services. A recent announcement from the NSW Attorney-General of new funding does not go far enough and we must see the GREAT EXPECTATIONS: staffing cap removed and a whole-of- government approach taken. In the COVID-19 AND PREGNANCY meantime, the PSA will assist members who need it and work for changes in our workplaces. The PSA/CPSU NSW has had a raft of enquiries from members The PSA/CPSU NSW have updated our regarding the pandemic and pregnancy. resources for members available on our website. Members who are worried their he Royal Australian and You should see your doctor for specific internet use is being monitored can use New Zealand College of medical advice regarding your ability to our guide on safe browsing. Obstetricians and work safely. Members working in the NSW Public Gynaecologists Service are entitled to domestic violence (RANZCOG) has warned leave. Five days of this leave is in our “pregnant women should Awards, and another five days in a be considered a vulnerable PREGNANT WOMEN Premier’s Memorandum from 2018. group” during COVID-19 due to the changes Members should be able to access a total Tin their body that occur at this time. SHOULD BE CONSIDERED of 10 days’ leave per annum. If you have RANZCOG refers to reduced lung capacity A VULNERABLE GROUP trouble accessing this entitlement, please and immunity, as well as other changes, and call the PSA’s Member Support Centre on the need for regular monitoring in DURING COVID-19 1300 772 679. consultation with their doctor. Members in other workplaces may have There are a number of conditions, such as entitlements to domestic violence leave. diabetes, that can occur during pregnancy which may put women more at risk at work “Every pregnancy and every job is 24-hour DV Helpline 1800 656 463 or during the COVID-19 pandemic. different,” said PSA/CPSU NSW Women’s www.facs.nsw.gov.au/domestic-violence/ There are provisions for special leave Industrial Officer Claire Pullen. “Some helpline for members suffering from, or caring employers have supported employees Domestic Violence NSW for someone with, COVID-19. The PSA/ during COVID-19 working from home, www.dvnsw.org.au CPSU NSW has ensured all employment or in the back office. Some have enabled Women’s Health Centres whnsw.asn.au awards and enterprise agreements provide workers being taken out of environments Women’s Legal Centres for access to safe working environments where they have higher physical demands www.wlsnsw.org.au for pregnant workers. These precautions or restricting visits to outside clients. Legal Aid www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au are enshrined into your employment “We would advise members to consult Women and Girls’ Emergency Centre arrangements such as those endorsed with their medical advisors and their www.wagec.org.au by SafeWork, to ensure your ability to manager and contact the PSA to discuss any Commonwealth Rent Assistance access safe work through adjustments roadblocks you experience in gaining the www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/ whilst pregnant and enable rapid dispute adjustments you need.” services/centrelink/rent-assistance resolution to gain these adjustments.

40 RED TAPE July-September 2020 FRONTLINE STORIES Women members talk about their work during times of crisis. n December I was seconded to the Disaster Welfare Assistance Line as many customers needed assistance during and after the horrendous bushfire season. We were, and still are, assisting with the clean-up of their Iproperties, accommodation, food, clothing, financial assistance and mental health issues. Then areas of NSW were hit with flooding so we were asked to assist customers with organising clean-up and WAGE CUTS HIT WOMEN HARDEST financial assistance. Then we were hit Male-dominated sectors win government favour – again. with COVID-19. Amanda, Service NSW

he NSW Government are all in this crisis together. It should never During COVID-19, I’ve created online announced plans to be a case of one group in a society losing out content for our students . This includes freeze public service to benefit another.” me learning to use online training wages, knowing the According to the Australian Bureau of packages. impact would fall hardest Statistics (ABS), the industries with the This has meant an increase in hours on women. highest proportion of women are healthcare worked to deliver quality training to Two-thirds of public and social assistance (78.2 per cent) and our students. sector employees are women and a education and training (71.9 per cent). Carol, Dept of Primary Industries T$3 billion wage freeze would significantly Much of the employment in these sectors is reduce their disposable income, most of driven by public expenditure, from hospitals I have been travelling on public transport which goes to family budgets and is spent and schools through to disability support to my office every day during the pandemic in local businesses. But the decision to and childcare. The industries dominated to support a core team of committed redirect $3 billion worth of wages into by male employees are construction (87.9 people working around the clock. infrastructure projects in male-dominated per cent) and mining (84.1 per cent). These Our team has become like a family industries completely ignored the impact percentages have remained stable for the and has pulled together to call on our of COVID-19 on women working in both last decade. strengths and working relationships. the private and public sectors. “No-one did well out of this global Julie, Dept of Health “It seemed that NSW was to have a pandemic. But women fared particularly female-led recession followed by male- badly in a number of ways,” Ms Pullen Not only were we worried about our led recovery,” Claire Pullen, Women’s explained. “Social distancing closed many families, we were concerned for the Industrial Officer at the PSA said. female-dominated businesses in retail, customers we were trying to assist. “Cutting public sector wages and shifting hospitality, food and beverage, arts and But we turned up each day, assisting it to construction reduces the spending recreation. and helping the best we could. And power of women in a misguided attempt “Younger women did it particularly tough now what do we get? A thank you, not to bolster employment levels in male as causal jobs were the first to go. More a much-deserved pay rise. What a joke; dominated industries. than half of Australia’s casual workforce are absolutely disgusting. “While male and female industries have women and 40 per cent of casuals are under Catherine, Service NSW been impacted differently by COVID-19, we the age of 25,” said Ms Pullen.

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 41 WHS

CONDITIONS VOID A PERFECT HOST FOR A PANDEMIC Many of the protected as the Australian “This is essential to protect infected with COVID-19. economy reopens. workers’ health and to avoid a “Creating an obligation for workplaces worst The union body has issued second wave of infections,” said employers to implement the hit by the COVID-19 three demands: ACTU Secretary Sally McManus. best possible methods of outbreak were • Paid pandemic leave for all “One in three workers has no prevention, protection and workers who have reason to access to paid sick leave. Health cleaning, and also to report characterised by low- believe that they might have authorities, including the cases in their workplaces to state paid, casual workers contracted COVID-19. This Australian Health Protection health and safety regulators are without conditions would allow all workers who Principal Committee have common-sense reforms which believe they may have the regularly cited the lack of paid will keep working people safe such as sick leave. illness to get tested and if sick leave as an unacceptable and help prevent the spread of asual workers necessary, take additional risk that will see more people the virus.” in the likes time to recover. of nursing • A legal obligation on homes, employers to protect their fast-food workers and their customers venues and by implementing the HAZARDS AT HOME meatworks highest practical standards However, some WHS are often forced to ‘soldier on’ and controls for their work, The COVID-19 issues arise at home. The Cand turn up even if they are such as physical distancing, pandemic has forced ACTU Coronavirus Workers’ displaying symptoms to prevent workers from Resource Centre has listed a associated with COVID-19, flu being infected and stop workers to adjust to number of hazards for those or other communicable the virus from spreading. working from home. at home, including: illnesses. • Compulsory notification The PSA has been • Increased workload and “Sick leave is not just to local health authorities working with employers work demands to protect you, it is there and work health and safety to help members with this • Fatigue to protect workmates and regulators in all states and transition. And with good • Poor communication and customers,” said PSA/CPSU territories of any cases of effect. The union surveyed management of change NSW WHS Officer Ian Tuit. COVID-19 infection that members in Revenue NSW • Low job control, isolated The ACTU has demanded may have been the result of regarding their experiences work that workers be better workplaces. with working from home • Increased stress (WFH) during the current • Increased exposure to COVID-19 pandemic. violence and harassment All but one member • Role ambiguity reported that WFH is being • Increased emotional effort made available and 91 per in responding to stressful cent of members were happy situations to work from home. Eighty- • Long working hours eight per cent of members • Lack of resources. felt they were receiving The centre produced enough communication material on steps employers from management. need to take in this new “Overall it appears the working system, covering: Department is stepping up • Protecting psychological to the challenge of quickly health and moving staff to a ‘WFH mode’, • Awareness of potential though challenges remain with hazards, including family and regards to communicating domestic violence with those staff and enabling • Managing psychological technology and optimum health and safety WFH conditions,” said PSA • How WHS reps can monitor Industrial Manager Nathan arrangements. Bradshaw.

42 RED TAPE July-September 2020 ZOOM FATIGUE BITES HITTING PAUSE A number of PSA work and home life had been The Harvard Business use plain backgrounds. blurred when colleagues saw • Make virtual social members have their living arrangements for Review suggests five events opt-in Do you identified ‘Zoom hours on end as meetings strategies to avoid really need to go to virtual fatigue’, where an became an everyday part of work. ‘Zoom fatigue’. drinks after a day of Zoom “With an increase in domestic meetings? overreliance on violence occurring over the • Avoid multitasking Close • Switch to phone calls electronic meetings lockdown, there is also a risk tabs or other applications or email Check your has left them feeling jealous partners could mistake that might distract you calendar for the next few workplace banter over Zoom • Build in breaks Look days to see whether there drained or intruded on. with something more intimate,” away from the screen, are any conversations n article in said PSA Organiser Sharon schedule breaks between you could have over the Harvard Richards, who has fielded calls and, during longer Slack or email instead. Business a number of queries from meetings, get up and walk Avoid defaulting to video, Review found members about the intrusiveness around the room. especially if you don’t fatigue is a of wall-to-wall meetings. • Reduce onscreen stimuli know each other well. response to a “Working from home is not Hide yourself from view day packed going away,” said PSA Assistant and encourage people to with video meetings. General Secretary Troy Wright. AThe article finds that “The Government needs participants in video meetings, to consult with unions and APP CAN KEEP WORKPLACE SAFE denied other stimuli, are formulate rules on how much forced to concentrate harder. we allow electronic meetings SafeWork NSW has turned its Speak up, Save PSA members have also noted to dominate our working days. Lives program into a phone app. working from home has left “Thanks to email and them with a feeling that work work mobile phones, work is The app, which can be Since its launch last October, has intruded into their lives. intruding on leisure time. We downloaded to smart phones the web application has One member said; “I don’t don’t need managers arranging via Apple or Android stores, already been used to report want my home brought into my face-to-face video meetings can be used to report unsafe more than 1600 unsafe work”, feeling the line between whenever an issue pops up.” workplaces to SafeWork. worksites.

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 43 TEA BREAK

CROSSWORD

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. ACROSS 3. Initials of a commode commodity 1. Life-saving machines used to fight recently in short supply. (1,1) 6. 7. COVID-19. (10) 4. Very long time. (4) A T T I I 6. Wide printers’ measure. (2) 5. Look at amorously. (4) 9. Woven Indonesian cloth. (4) 7. 8. 7. Initials of bootmaker Williams. (1,1) 10. Outdoor public swimming area. N N N N R R 8. How a Tasmanian may refer to an out-of-stater. (10) (4) 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. Rudyard Kipling poem. (2) 11. Curly hairstyle popular in the 15. Abbreviation for a doctor. (2) 1970s. (4) 13. 14. 16. Skin inkers. (10) 12. Lions’ homes. (4) I I I I 20. Artificial intelligence. (1,1) 13. (and 23 across) Event that overthrew the Tsar. (7, 10) 15. 22. Symbol for calcium. (2) 23. See 13-down. 17. Dull pain. (4) B B B B 18. Starchy food popular in South 16. 17. 18. 19. Pacific. (4) DOWN 19. Hand-held food popular in 1. Bernie Sanders represents this 20. 21. 20. Mexico. (4) A D D D O D small state in the US Senate. (7) 21. Scan used to construct a 3D 2. Ms Alberici: well-regarded ABC image of your innards. (1,1) 22. 23. 21. 22. economics journalist. (4) D O O O O

23.

Last issue’s solution BOOK REVIEWS: G I L L A R D AI D O O VI O TI I L O HU E AI

U NE N O D NK S P A S

L NR E ON E UI NL A N A

B U R N S NB G RE WR N

U UI CU D UN M O V E D

R F S UB UL I MU I HU W

N U D E CU N E D OE I PA N NY L A E EA E KE C MAINTAINING A SAFE WORKPLACE I D UY M U R D O C H ust as the essential (above far left). . workers in its “We have also put in THE ROAD occupation of the Melanesian membership have specific rules, such as limits territory by Indonesia. The John Martinkus continued to work on the number of people Road describes the cosy through the riding in each lift at the one $24.99 relationship between the Black Inc Books pandemic, the time. The carpets have also company and the Indonesian PSA/CPSU NSW been sanitised.” The plight of the Indonesian Government, at the expense has been open for business. Mr Adnum is backed up territories in Papua is partially of the locals, many of whom JThis has put PSA House’s by the building maintenance the result of a massive have fled the occupation to Building Maintenance staff team: (from second left) corporation getting access to a neighbouring Papua New under the spotlight. Patrick Norton, who runs the compliant government and its Guinea. “We’ve upped the cleaning motor pool and front desk; armed forces. Author John Martinkus around the entire building,” qualified carpenter Keith The American-run Grasberg defied close surveillance by said Building Services Twigger; and cleaner Luba mine, the largest gold mine and Indonesian agents to tell the Manager Greg Adnum Nestorovska. the second largest copper mine Papuans’ story. in the world, benefits from the

44 RED TAPE July-September 2020 APHEDA campaign gets results in Java

PHEDA/ wide-reaching effects on the Union Aid country’s asbestos. Abroad’s APHEDA/Union Aid long-running Abroad estimates Indonesia campaign imports more than 100,000 against the tonnes of raw asbestos continued each year and operates 26 use of asbestos in Asian asbestos product factories. Acountries has had a win, with The majority of the imported the Indonesian city of raw asbestos goes to Bandung banning the use of manufacturing roof sheets, the deadly building material. with estimates that up to half The Javanese city has the roofs in the capital Jakarta announced it won’t approve are made of asbestos sheeting. planning applications with The union-led campaign to asbestos products. Bandung end the trade has government is the country’s fourth-largest support. city, so the ban will have

LETTERS

VALE JEFFREY WALTERS The PSA received this letter from a member, whose name he PSA is At the time of his passing, has been redacted as part of saddened to Mr Walters was a Member their positive settlement. hear of the of the CPSU’s State Branch Please accept this sincere letter loss of Council. He served on the of appreciation regarding an long-time PSA’s chief governing body, alleged overpayment of monies . active the Central Council, between The matter was listed in the member and 2004 and 2008 and again Industrial Relations Commission former Central Councillor, between 2012 and 2016. and I was represented by the PSA’s TJeff Walters. His colleagues and fellow Industrial Officer Ms Carmel Mr Walters, who passed unionists describe him as style, for his birthday he McKeough, whom I believe has away in June aged 52, keen-eyed, intelligent and asked that friends pledge now retired. Thereafter I was had been a PSA member diligent with exceptional a donation to Cystic represented by Industrial Officer since July 1988. He was a interpersonal skills. He was Fibrosis NSW in lieu of any Mr Graydon Welsh. respected and experienced known within the Department gifts,” said colleague Steve I’d like to take this opportunity unionist, a highly regarded as someone who would Mannall. “He did this as he to express my utmost, sincere work colleague and a person champion the needs of others has a niece that he would gratitude to these officers. Both with a deep commitment to and campaign for improved often very fondly speak of officers displayed common courtesy his family. conditions for all employees. whom unfortunately suffers and empathy towards my case From the 1990s onward, During most of his public from this debilitating and on-going health issues. They Mr Walters was active in the service career, Mr Walters condition. both kept me up to date with PSA’s Attorney General’s worked in the Courts in the “He will be remembered proceedings and were in constant Departmental Committee Newcastle and Hunter Valley fondly by everyone fortunate contact with me throughout the and the Petty Sessions region, and, more recently, enough to have known or whole 18 months it took to resolve. Officers Association, holding in Wyong. interacted with him. If the Their professionalism and a number of positions “Jeffrey had only recently mark of a man is the legacy he dedication to my situation was including Chairperson, celebrated his 52nd birthday leaves, then Jeff certainly left a outstanding. Ms McKeough and Secretary and delegate. and in his truly selfless mark on this world.” Mr Welsh are a credit to the PSA and members alike.

July-September 2020 RED TAPE 45 FINANCE

Public Service Association and Professional Officers’ Association Amalgamated Union of NSW PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF NSW PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF NSW STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

For the Year Ended 31 December 2019 As at 31 December 2019 2019 2018 2019 2018 $ $ ASSETS $ $ CURRENT ASSETS

Revenue 23,444,880 22,282,456 Cash and cash equivalents 1,032,949 1,377,679 Other income 14,545 3,408 Trade and other receivables 448,127 789,165 Employee benefits expense (14,991,068) (14,370,706) Other financial assets 29,958,250 29,555,067 Depreciation and amortisation expense (770,047) (690,768) Other assets 298,220 681,529 Other expenses (8,589,190) (7,771,624) TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 31,737,546 32,403,440 Finance costs (368,345) (336,292) NON-CURRENT ASSETS (Loss) before income tax (1,259,225) (883,526) Trade and other receivables 114,069 65,642 Income tax expense - - Property, plant and equipment 45,692,946 45,962,846 (Loss) from continuing operations (1,259,225) (883,526) TOTAL NON-CURRENT ASSETS 45,807,015 46,028,488 TOTAL ASSETS 77,544,561 78,431,928

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF LIABILITIES INCOME TAX CURRENT LIABILITIES Items that will not be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss Trade and other payables 1,604,112 2,144,173 Gain on revaluation of land and buildings - 16,529,218 Short-term provisions 4,410,600 4,118,500 Actuarial (loss)/gain on defined benefit (2,016,768) (2,419,297) pension plans Other financial liabilities 323,588 332,243 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 6,338,300 6,594,916 Other comprehensive income for the year, (2,016,768) 14,109,921 net of tax NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (3,275,993) 13,226,395 FOR THE YEAR Long term provisions 18,754,535 16,109,293 TOTAL NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 18,754,535 16,109,293 TOTAL LIABILITIES 25,092,835 22,704,209

NET ASSETS 52,451,726 55,727,719

EQUITY Reserves 41,731,499 41,731,499 Summary of financial Retained earnings 10,720,227 13,996,220

accounts for 2019 TOTAL EQUITY 52,451,726 55,727,719

he Financial Accounts and Statements will be supplied free of which read as follows: of the Union have been charge to members on request. Certificates 1. A member of an organisation, audited in accordance required to be given under the Act by the or the Industrial Registrar, may with the provisions of Accounting Officer and the Committee apply to the organisation for the New South Wales of Management have been completed in specified information prescribed Industrial Relations accordance with the provisions of the Act by the regulations in relation to the Act, 1996 (“the Act”), and contain no qualifications. organisation. and the following summary is provided In accordance with the requirements 2. An organisation must, on the making Tfor members in accordance with of the Act, the attention of members of such an application, make the Section 517(2) of the Industrial is drawn to the provision of the Sub specified information available to the Relations Act 1991, preserved as Sections (1) and (2) of Section 512 member or the Industrial Registrar regulations under section 282(2) of the Industrial Relations Act 1991, in the manner, and within the time, Industrial Relations Act 1996. preserved as regulations under section prescribed by the regulations. A copy of the Auditor’s Report, Accounts 282(2) Industrial Relations Act 1996,

46 RED TAPE July-September 2020 July-September 2020 RED TAPE 47 TRAININGFEATURE

availability of regional venues is limited until venues re-open. Metropolitan face-to-face training is re-commencing with use of larger rooms. Social distancing and hygiene measures are being applied as health order restrictions are lifted. It is anticipated that by Live and August a reversion to most of the regional course calendar learn: new will be able to become available. training Online attendance has been strong in most courses, format however, there are some COVID-19 has forced the PSA/ members who do have CPSU NSW to move training difficulties with this format to an online format. due to technology restrictions THE WAY WE WERE The PSA/CPSU NSW is in their location. Regardless, continuing with amended the new normal for training ictured is a PSA/CPSU NSW training session training delivery in July but delivery is anticipated to on Dealing with Bullying in the Workplace. slowly transitioning to face- have a hybrid of face to face The training was held in Albury on to-face training by the end of metropolitan and regional 4 and 5 March before the COVID-19 the month. Current issues still training courses available as shutdown sent all the union’s courses online. exist with reliable regional well as online. “Members from across multiple agencies transportation as airlines are Find an up-to-date list at had a very intense two days of training which not offering all services with the psa.asn.au/training-you or they all found very beneficial,” said Regional Organiser cpsunsw.org.au/training-you. PMichelle Mackintosh. same level of regularity, and the

Course descriptions look at some useful strategies We’ll also talk about power to manage stress and build dynamics and values. This Dealing With Member Training schedule: personal resilience. is a prerequisite for anyone Issues This course will look that wants to do the next Tuesday 14 July at handling individual issues **Content warning: Please be level of training, unless you Dealing with Member Issues using the problem-solving aware that we do discuss suicide have proven experience in the Workshop framework and building on and suicide prevention. delegate role for 2+ years. Wednesday 15 July your advocacy skills. Mental Health, Care and Negotiation Skills Tip the Role of the Delegate We’ll Mental Health, Care and Resilience Online Workshop balance of power by learning break down organising in your Resilience Stigma around Thursday 16 July how to be an effective workplace until you’re a pro. talking mental health at Negotiation Skills (one-hour negotiator. This course is Great for new delegates and work? Not sure how to help webinar) aimed at delegates and activists but also for experienced someone who is struggling? Tuesday 21 July activists, but anyone would delegates wanting a refresher. How can we change that and Introduction to the Union benefit from the experience. build a positive, inclusive Workshop – REGIONAL Most members are eligible workplace culture? We look MEMBERS’ SPECIAL Introduction to the union for 12 days’ paid trade union at information, strategies Wednesday 22 July New to being active in the training leave every two years. and resources that can help Role of the Delegate union? This is where your You can check with the Member support people with mental journey starts. We will spend Support Centre on 1300 772 Workshop – REGIONAL health issues and encourage MEMBERS’ SPECIAL the day looking at how the 679 if you are unsure about your them to seek professional union works and union history. eligibility for leave. help if concerned. We also

48 RED TAPE July-September 2020 JOINING FORM JOINED BY: Public Service Association of NSW Community and Public Sector Union

ABOUT ME: ABOUT MY MEMBERSHIP:

Title: M F Other Weekly membership fees are based on your gross annual income. Please tick which applies to you:

First name: Gross annual salary Weekly fees from July 2019 change. to subject fees Membership

Surname: Less than $10,718 $3.75 $10,718 – $42,870 $7.30 Preferred name: $42,871 – $60,896 $11.70 D.O.B: More than $60,896 $15.25 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage? Yes No Fees can also be paid quarterly or yearly by cheque/credit card/cash. Payment Address (home): must accompany form and then an invoice will be sent when account is due. STREET STATE I would like more information about:

SUBURB POSTCODE Training Becoming a delegate/contact

Address (postal): ABOUT MY PAYMENT: OPTION 1: Direct Debit Fortnightly 4 weekly POSTCODE NAME ON ACCOUNT

Phone: FINANCIAL INSTITUTION MOBILE

BSB ACCOUNT NUMBER HOME WORK

SIGNATURE Email: PERSONAL PLEASE NOMINATE YOUR PREFERRED EMAIL I hereby request the deduction from my account of my subscription to the PSA (User ID 040 172). I authorise the following: 1. The PSA may verify the details of the above mentioned account with my financial institution if required. 2. My financial institution may release PREFERRED information allowing the PSA to verify the above mentioned account details. 3. My employer may release my bank account details to the PSA for the purpose of enabling me to establish a direct debit facility for the payment of my subscription. 4. I have read the Automatic Payment Service WORK Agreement overleaf and agree with its terms and conditions.

PREFERRED OPTION 2: Credit Card (monthly only) Visa Mastercard Red Tape magazine via: Post Email CARD NUMBER

NAME ON CARD ABOUT MY WORK:

SIGNATURE EXPIRY DATE Employer name:

Job title: I hereby authorise the PSA to debit my card account with the amount and at the intervals specified in the Salary and Fees Table detailed on this form, and in the event of any change in the charges for these subscriptions, to alter the amount from the appropriate date in accordance with such change. This authority will stand, in respect of the above specified card and in respect of any card issued to me in renewal or replacement Pay ID serial no: thereof, until I notify the PSA in writing of its cancellation. Union dues processed on 7th of each month.

Commencement date: Agency/Work Unit: DECLARATION:

SIGNATURE Worksite address: STREET STATE DATE

SUBURB POSTCODE AFTER COMPLETING YOUR FORM, YOU CAN: Hand it to your organiser SCAN AND EMAIL TO: Employment status: FU LL-TI M E PART-TIME [email protected] or fax to 02 9262 1623 YOU CAN POST IT TO: CASUAL LABOUR HIRE Membership Section, PSA of NSW PERMANENT TEMP/ GPO Box 3365, SYDNEY NSW 2001 Employment type: /ONGING CONTRACT I, the undersigned, hereby apply to be enrolled as a member of the Public Service Association and Professional Officers’ Association Amalgamated Union of New South Wales (PSA) and the Community & Public Sector Union SPSF Group NSW Branch (CPSU NSW) in accordance with the Rules of both bodies, by which I agree to be bound, and I appoint the PSA and CPSU NSW as my bargaining agent. I agree that a copy of this form Are you a current Health & Safety Rep (HSR)? YES NO (whether as a scanned image, photocopy, facsimile or otherwise) may be used or dealt with as if it were the original. I have read and understood the information detailed overleaf relating to financial obligations and the circumstances and manner in which I may resign my membership.

ABN 83 717 214 309 – AUTHORISED BY STEWART LITTLE, GENERAL SECRETARY, PUBLIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION July-September 2020 RED TAPE 49 JOINING FORM JOINED BY: Joining Form Public Service Association of NSW Joined by: Community and Public Sector Union

#JoinYourUnion psa.asn.au/join psansw

TERMSTerms ANDand Conditions:CONDITIONS:

AutomaticAutomatic Payment Payment Service Service Agreement Agreement »» If If the the charging charging arrangements arrangements areare stoppedstopped byby youyou oror youryour nominatednominated bankbank or or financial financial institution, institution, youyou willwill arrangearrange aa suitablesuitable alternativealternative We,We, the the PSA, PSA, make make the the following following commitment commitment to to you: you: paymentpayment method method with with the the PSA.PSA. »» The PSA will debit/charge your membership fees as they fall The PSA will debit/charge your membership fees as they fall »» Resignation Resignation from from the the PSA/CPSU PSA/CPSU NSWNSW willwill bebe notifiednotified byby youyou asas due. However, if this day falls on a non-business day, they will be due. However, if this day falls on a non-business day, they will be perper the the conditions conditions in in the the section section “How“How toto resignresign fromfrom thethe PSAPSA andand debited/ charged on the next business day. debited/ charged on the next business day. CPSUCPSU NSW”. NSW”. Repayments Repayments willwill notnot bebe mademade forfor latelate notifications.notifications. »» The PSA will only use this authority to debit/charge regular fees. The PSA will only use this authority to debit/charge regular fees. HowHow to to resign resign from from the the PSA PSA andand CPSUCPSU NSWNSW IfIf you you miss miss a a payment, payment, it it will will be be picked picked up up in in the the following following period period i.e.i.e. two two instalments instalments will will be be taken taken out. out. YouYou may may resign resign from from membership membership whenwhen eithereither youyou ceasecease toto workwork »» Resignation Resignation from from the the PSA PSA must must be be notified notified accordingaccording to to the the sectionsection inin an an area area covered covered by by the the Association Association oror byby givinggiving 1414 daysdays noticenotice inin “How“How to to resign resign from from the the PSA PSA and and CPSU CPSU NSW”. NSW”. Should Should you you resign resign writingwriting of of your your intention intention to to resign resign toto thethe PSAPSA GeneralGeneral Secretary.Secretary. youryour membership, membership, the the PSA PSA undertakes undertakes to to cease cease debiting debiting your your ResignationResignation from from the the PSA PSA willwill alsoalso bebe takentaken asas resignationresignation fromfrom thethe accountaccount upon upon the the termination termination of of the the written written notice notice period. period. CPSUCPSU NSW, NSW, subject subject to to confirmation. confirmation. »» The The PSA PSA will will notify notify any any changes changes to to your your union union fees fees in in “Red “Red Tape”. Tape”. ResignationResignation from from the the CPSU CPSU NSWNSW cancan bebe byby noticenotice inin writingwriting ofof twotwo weeksweeks or or more, more, such such notice notice beingbeing delivereddelivered toto thethe SecretarySecretary ofof thethe »» The The PSA PSA will will act act in in accordance accordance with with our our Privacy Privacy Statement, Statement, while while CPSUCPSU SPSF SPSF Group Group NSW NSW Branch. Branch. notingnoting that that your your financial financial institution institution maymay require require suchsuch information information toto be be provided provided in in connection connection with with a a claim claim made made on on it it relating relating to to an an PleasePlease note note that that you you are are obliged obliged toto paypay anyany duesdues owingowing toto thethe PSAPSA allegedalleged incorrect incorrect or or wrongful wrongful debit. debit. upup to to the the date date of of effect effect of of the the resignationresignation andand thatthat feesfees areare notnot refundablerefundable on on resignation resignation from from thethe PSA/CPSUPSA/CPSU NSW.NSW. »» The The PSA PSA will will investigate investigate and and deal deal promptly promptly with with any any queries, queries, claims claims Privacy Statement oror complaints complaints regarding regarding debits/charges debits/charges and and provide provide a a response response Privacy Statement within 21 days of receipt. within 21 days of receipt. InformationInformation collected collected in in these these applicationsapplications isis usedused forfor thethe purposespurposes YourYour commitment commitment to to the the PSA: PSA: ofof the the PSA PSA and and the the CPSU CPSU NSWNSW only.only. »» You You will will ensure ensure that that the the account account details details provided provided to to the the PSA PSA are are WhenWhen we we use use third third parties parties toto carrycarry outout unionunion functionsfunctions (eg(eg identicalidentical to to the the account account details details held held by by your your bank bank or or financial financial mail-houses,mail-houses, electoral electoral offices, offices, candidatescandidates toto unionunion office,office, unionunion institution.institution. delegates,delegates, etc.) etc.) only only necessary necessary informationinformation isis released,released, andand subjectsubject to the condition that it not be used for any other purpose. »» You You will will ensure ensure that that you you have have sufficient sufficient funds funds oror creditcredit availableavailable to the condition that it not be used for any other purpose. inin the the nominated nominated account account on on the the due due date date for for payment payment of of your your InformationInformation requested requested for for payment payment ofof membershipmembership feesfees isis providedprovided fees.fees. You You will will let let us us know know in in writing writing within within 14 14 days days if if the the nominated nominated onlyonly to to the the relevant relevant financial financial institution institution oror employer.employer. accountaccount is is altered, altered, transferred transferred or or closed. closed. AnyAny member member may may at at any any time time arrangearrange toto seesee andand correctcorrect theirtheir membership record by contacting [email protected] »» You You will will be be responsible responsible to to ensure ensure that that the the amounts amounts debited/charged debited/charged membership record by contacting [email protected] toto your your nominated nominated account account for for your your PSA PSA fees fees are are correct. correct.

T 1300 772 679 A 160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 W psa.asn.au E [email protected] TF 130002 9262 772 1623679 A 160GPO Clarence Box 3365, Street, Sydney Sydney NSW NSW 2001 2000 WW psa.asn.aucpsunsw.org.au E [email protected] F 02 9262 1623 GPO Box 3365, Sydney NSW 2001 W cpsunsw.org.au WHO SOCIETY WHO REALLY THINKS WORKS WORKS AT AT UNIVERSITIES UNIVERSITIES Academics Administrative Assistant Infrastructure Administrator Architect International Admissions and Auditor Support Officer Business Analyst International Student Advisor Campus Manager IT Manager Campus Sports Assistant Laboratory Technician Cashier Legal Officer Clerical Assistant Librarian Client Services Officer Library Technician Communication & Events Workplace Health & Safety Co-ordinator Officer Compliance & Policy Officer Marketing Officer Course Administration Officer Media Officer Data Analyst Media Technologist Data Technician Pastoral Care Coordinator Digital Technologist Production Manager Disability Liaison Officer Quality and Compliance Educational Designer Officer Educational Technology Records Assistant Designer Research Officer eLearning Designer Statistician Equity and Diversity Officer Student Advisor Events Manager Student Ambassador Facilities Administration Student Counsellor Officer Student Management Officer Field Education Manager Student Management Officer- Finance Officer Indigenous Student Services Fleet Officer Student Placement and Food & Beverage Attendant Support Officer Functions Supervisor Student Recruitment and Gardener Events Officer Graduation and Events Subject Administration Officer Coordinator Technology Specialist Health Clinic Manager Venue Manager Human Resources Officer Veterinary Nurse EVERY JOB COUNTS

160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 3365, Sydney NSW 2001 1300 772 679 [email protected] www.cpsunsw.org.au @cpsunsw

Authorised by Stewart Little, State Branch Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union (SPSF Group) NSW Branch, 160 Clarence Street, Sydney These are testing times for universities Revenue cuts are putting job, pay and conditions at risk You have never needed your union more The CPSU NSW is the ONLY union dedicated to Professional Staff in our universities Join the CPSU NSW today www.cpsunsw.org,au/join EVERY JOB COUNTS

160 Clarence Street, Sydney NSW 2000 GPO Box 3365, Sydney NSW 2001 1300 772 679 [email protected] www.cpsunsw.org.au @cpsunsw

Authorised by Stewart Little, State Branch Secretary, Community and Public Sector Union (SPSF Group) NSW Branch, 160 Clarence Street, Sydney