If you care about essential public services and rights at work, make sure your vote counts in this election, writes CPSU National Secretary, Nadine Flood.
As a CPSU member, you understand how important the public sector is. Every day, you and your workmates care for families, secure our borders, develop public policy and provide valuable advice to the Federal Government.
But with continuing global economic uncertainty, Australia needs a strong and stable public sector.
The outcome of this election will have a profound effect on the shape, size and direction of the Australian Public Service. This is why the CPSU is urging all members and supporters to consider their votes carefully.
Over the coming weeks, CPSU Executive and delegates will continue to meet with local MPs and candidates to explain our view on a range of issues, including the need for:
proper funding for public services and jobs including ABC, SBS and CSIRO
genuine negotiations on pay and conditions
restoration of fair workers' compensation rights
access and training for workplace delegates.
If you would like to be involved in local election activities please contact us here rights@cpsu.org.au or by calling 1300 137 636.
Statement from Prime Minister Gillard on APS jobs
The CPSU has welcomed the ALP's commitment not to increase the efficiency dividend to fund election promises. Speaking in Brisbane on 18 July Prime Minister Gillard said:
''We made announcements about the efficiency dividend at the time of the budget and those announcements stand. I believe Australians want to see a public service that is efficient and effective and gets the job done. It is Tony Abbott who says that he will cut public servants, and the degree of cuts he is talking about means he will be cutting services to Australian families."
The CPSU is now calling on the Opposition to make clear its position on the public sector so employees and Australians who depend on essential public services can make an informed choice. In particular we believe Australians have a right to know:
how many APS positions will be cut under an Abbott Government -12,000 as previously announced or more?
who will perform the duties of the 12,000 lost positions?
would an Abbott Government wind back public service bargaining arrangements which allow union members to seek support from CPSU delegates in their own workplace and give access to union training on paid time?
does the Opposition support the Moran Review and the blueprint for public sector reform?
would WorkChoices style arrangements be introduced ?
What you can do: Learn more about what parties are saying on issues important to CPSU members by visiting the CPSU Federal Election campaign page.
Have your say: Please post a comment below.
Comments(29)
Posted by:Dixie Zomer - 19 Aug 2010, 4:49pm Hmmm...seems the CPSU is slightly biased and has not truly presented the facts as they are. Just one quick question - A freeze on recruitment?? Or a government that has wasted billions of dollars? If the second occurs where are they going to recoup these loss's? Same as with individuals, banks will only loan so much before they stop due to credit risk and then were will the government recoup their loss's.... Oh that?s right ? from government departments. Since the CPSU seems to endorse labour I think we should follow the advice of one of their previous Representatives who achieved the high position of Prime Minister. Bob Hawke suggested that we disregard the slogans and look at ?form? of the governments. Well I think the current governments form has spoken for itself ? all spin, no action and if in trouble through money at it and hide when this fails (or just replace the head and leave everything else in place).
Posted by:Jayne - 12 Aug 2010, 1:14am I am having trouble convincing myself that the ALP has the ability to manage our ecconomy. If the ALP get in how long will it be before they dump Julia? I voted for Kevin 07. He was voted in by the people & the people should have decided his fate. my pay & conditions were also better off under previous govt.
Posted by:Bradley - 10 Aug 2010, 10:29am So a Gillard Government would implement performance pay for teachers. I'm sure this was what the Howard Government was trying to implement for years. Will the CPSU come out and strongly oppose this disgraceful Gillard policy, or will it remain silent?
Posted by:Daphne Snook - 6 Aug 2010, 7:29am I added a comment yesterday but it is not on the Wall. Was it because I questioned the Labour Party?s ability to manage Australia and suggested other parties may run Australia better. Is this Union censoring comments or is it another one of ?let?s start but not finish? ideas we seem to get a lot of at Defence.
The last comment was posted 31 Jul 10
Posted by:Dave - 5 Aug 2010, 11:16pm I'm a Delegate who doesn't vote for the big 2. I asked my local (lib) member
about the job cuts. The reply included:
'.. our policy is not to cut jobs but
to apply a recruitment freeze for 2 years. This will not involve any
redundancies but would see the 6000
Commonwealth employees who voluntarily
retire or leave each year not be
replaced.
The recruitment freeze will apply on an
agency-by-agency basis but uniformed
and frontline service positions
including, for example, the federal
police, customs and quarantine, the
Australian Defence Force and Centrelink
customer service staff will be excluded'
Hmmm...seems the CPSU is slightly biased and has not truly presented the facts as they are. Just one quick question - A freeze on recruitment?? Or a government that has wasted billions of dollars? If the second occurs where are they going to recoup these loss's? Same as with individuals, banks will only loan so much before they stop due to credit risk and then were will the government recoup their loss's.... Oh that?s right ? from government departments. Since the CPSU seems to endorse labour I think we should follow the advice of one of their previous Representatives who achieved the high position of Prime Minister. Bob Hawke suggested that we disregard the slogans and look at ?form? of the governments. Well I think the current governments form has spoken for itself ? all spin, no action and if in trouble through money at it and hide when this fails (or just replace the head and leave everything else in place).
I am having trouble convincing myself that the ALP has the ability to manage our ecconomy. If the ALP get in how long will it be before they dump Julia? I voted for Kevin 07. He was voted in by the people & the people should have decided his fate. my pay & conditions were also better off under previous govt.
So a Gillard Government would implement performance pay for teachers. I'm sure this was what the Howard Government was trying to implement for years. Will the CPSU come out and strongly oppose this disgraceful Gillard policy, or will it remain silent?
I added a comment yesterday but it is not on the Wall. Was it because I questioned the Labour Party?s ability to manage Australia and suggested other parties may run Australia better. Is this Union censoring comments or is it another one of ?let?s start but not finish? ideas we seem to get a lot of at Defence. The last comment was posted 31 Jul 10
I'm a Delegate who doesn't vote for the big 2. I asked my local (lib) member about the job cuts. The reply included: '.. our policy is not to cut jobs but to apply a recruitment freeze for 2 years. This will not involve any redundancies but would see the 6000 Commonwealth employees who voluntarily retire or leave each year not be replaced. The recruitment freeze will apply on an agency-by-agency basis but uniformed and frontline service positions including, for example, the federal police, customs and quarantine, the Australian Defence Force and Centrelink customer service staff will be excluded'