Brassed off! Defence staff call for better spending priorities
10 March 2010, 2:00pm
Following recent media reports about massive spending irregularities by Defence high flyers, CPSU members have contacted the union to express frustration at the apparent double standards at play.
No buckets of cash in OUR workplaces
Staff feel that while their workplaces are being stretched to the limit by
ongoing cuts and “savings” measures, vast amounts of funding is being splashed
on contractors and high-flyers. They are also frustrated at the Department’s
overuse of contractors, despite the fact the savings promised by outsourcing
NEVER materialise.
Don’t squander our savings
Through the Strategic Reform Program, CPSU members are working cooperatively
with Defence management to try and find savings and better ways of working. But
many staff are frustrated that savings they are delivering are being squandered.
Some of the examples in the media highlight that there are significant savings
that can be made in areas other than cutting services and jobs. With many
workplaces already stretched to the limit, staff alone should not have to carry
the burden of the savings targets.
Getting reform right
CPSU and Defence management have been discussing likely shape of the Defence
Strategic Reform Program at the National Workplace Relations Committee, the peak
consultative forum in Defence. See the latest
update here. CPSU is also seeking a discussion with government before it
makes it finals decision about reform at the end of March.
