Public Sector Review - April 2023

As our state, and the world generally, begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, 2023 will be time to re-focus our efforts on how our public sector can be championed and adequately resourced to best serve our community. The website has general interest articles, a links page and specific sections for

2023: REFOCUSING POST- COVID

The PSA remains as committed as ever to our vision that:

PSA members are highly valued, with fair and secure working conditions and entitlements, in a well-resourced South Australian public sector.

Likewise, we aim to live by our values of Solidarity, Equality, Integrity, Respect, Fairness and Community, which reflect a long, proud history of union activism and achievement.

Regardless of which political party has been in power in South Australia, we have certainly had our work cut out for us in persuading the government of the day of the the need to maintain a strong public sector that respects and values its workforce.

Continual budget cuts, seemingly neverending restructures and ever-increasing workloads signal that there is is still much work to do to create a fit-forpurpose public service.

PSA members play a crucial role in supporting that aspiration.

In the feverish climate of election campaigns, both incumbent governments and contenders vying for office are quick to make promises. But it is what they deliver, once the poll is over and they are in power, that really matters.

The PSA has repeatedly said that we will hold all governments – no matter their political stripes – to account over what they promise, and the Malinauskas Labor government is no exception.

At the top of our agenda is reversing, once and for all, the privatisation debacle that has gripped this state for generations. We have called on

REFOCUSING COVID

by Natasha Brown

the Government to provide us with details on the establishment of the Parliamentary committee to review existing privatisation arrangements. With the government having just marked 12 months in office, we expect action on this front very soon and to be fully involved in the review as we continue to prosecute our case for the return of outsourced services to public hands.

Similarly, the crisis in child protection – particularly in relation to staffing and resource allocation to early intervention and intensive support programs – needs to be addressed as a priority. Action from this government on child protection reform cannot simply be limited to the highly publicised welfare checks of around 520 children late in 2022, and then silence. We will continue to work closely with members to ensure that our child protection system gets the attention it deserves and, in turn, is better equipped to deliver positive outcomes for children and families.

The Independent Review into SafeWork SA is another major focus for this year. Together with SA Unions, the PSA will maintain the pressure on the Government to ensure that the report’s recommendations are implemented. It is vitally important that a stronger, respected work health and safety regulator, with a positive workplace culture, emerges from what has been a very difficult period.

Health will continue to be a challenging area as services move from a pandemic response to a “living with COVID” model. Our members in SA Pathology, recently lauded as heroes of South Australia’s pandemic response, are currently facing yet another restructure and we are working closely with them to ensure

genuine consultation and recognition of the importance of their work. We have also recently launched the PSA Allied Health Professionals Network, and continue to provide support to members across our health system with ongoing workload and resourcing issues.

The consequences of the discredited staff-cutting process in prisons, known “Benchmarking”, continues to frustrate our members in the Department for Correctional Services. The PSA has provided the Government with a detailed model around delivering safer prisons, for both staff and prisoners. The PSA and members have lost patience with the Department, which has so far refused to commit to a review of Benchmarking. During 2023, the PSA will be pushing for significant changes in SA prisons to ensure a better workplace for our members and improved outcomes for those in custody.

This year, we will also see an increase in union activism around adequate funding for Adelaide’s arts and cultural precinct along North Terrace. The State Library of SA, SA Museum and Art Gallery of SA are world-class institutions, deserving of appropriate funding, rather than being forced to operate within austerity budgets.

It has been disappointing the number of times over the past 12 months that the PSA has had to remind government agencies of their obligation to consult fully over changes in the workplace. This entitlement has been enshrined in Enterprise Agreements for nearly two decades, yet some agencies still think it is okay to go out on their own and attempt to make wholesale changes without properly consulting with the PSA or its members. Let me be clear, the PSA will always hold agencies accountable and fight to ensure our members are consulted.

During the past 12 months, we have witnessed major changes on the political front, with both the Federal and South

Australian governments changing hands, and with it a push towards some more big picture thinking economically, industrially and socially.

The changes to federal industrial relations laws (Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Act 2022) marks an important shift in the debate around rights and flexibility for working people. Similarly, the recently legislated First Nations Voice to the South Australian Parliament, and national Voice to Parliament, which is expected to be put to referendum later this year, both aim to enshrine greater recognition and respect for, and more genuine consultation with, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers’s commitment to establish a wellbeing budget framework for Australia is a promising opportunity for us to reframe how we measure our country’s success; and recognise that first and foremost we are a community, not just an economy. The public sector is central and critical to supporting and implementing a wellbeing approach to budgets, and the PSA looks forward to engaging with the federal government and our members as this work progresses.

With the range of issues requiring our attention, all of us need to be equipped with tools to support our activism and advocacy. I am absolutely committed to growing and strengthening our union through greater Worksite Representative development and support, a refreshed training program for members, and more worksite visits from our team of Organisers. If you would like the PSA to arrange a visit to your worksite, please contact us at enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au.

On behalf of the leadership team of the PSA, I thank you for your continued support of our union and look forward to achieving great outcomes with you this year.

A message from the President

SPREAD THE WORD AND HELP GROW OUR UNION

by Lillia Rozaklis

As members of a union, we know the value of working collectively to achieve great outcomes. We take pride in fighting the good fight, to not only protect workers’ rights and conditions, but to ensure our public sector remains strong and can continue to provide excellent services to the community.

The fact that we understand the positive social role a union plays means it is incumbent on all of us as members to spread the word to colleagues, who may not be members, to encourage them to join and be part of the change.

Growing our union membership means we have the capacity to do so much more. With increased numbers on the ground, our visibility within the workplace and the community is heightened and our power to influence change and improve industrial rights, our work health and safety, and a strong public sector is greatly enhanced.

The PSA and our members can take pride in our history. For almost 140 years we have lobbied, campaigned, negotiated, represented and advocated for public sector workers in the interests of fairness and equity.

It’s a message worth sharing. While the PSA is actively building our numbers of Worksite Representatives on the ground, all members can play a role in educating the workforce – and the community – about the myriad aspects of union activity and the immense contribution to worker wellbeing.

The PSA operates on many levels – from our organisers working with members to resolve collective issues to representing and advocating on behalf of individuals on industrial matters up to the highest levels. We play a public role as an informed commentator and advocate on the issues of the day as they affect our members and the public services they provide. And we offer a range of non-industrial benefits, such as discounts on products and services.

OUR VISION

PSA members are highly valued, with fair and secure working conditions and entitlements, in a well-resourced South Australian public sector.

Working collectively has a strong track record of success. Anyone questioning the relevance of unions in today’s society may not be aware of the gains unions have achieved for workers over the last century.

As we approach the end of the first quarter of the 21st Century, new issues will arise that will affect the lives of public sector workers in ways that we could never have imagined. A strong union will be as relevant as ever to ensure that the interests of the public sector workers of tomorrow are protected.

Negotiations for a new Salaried Enterprise Agreement are on the horizon. During the last few years the workplace landscape has changed considerably. A growing and committed membership behind our negotiating team will put us in a strong position to achieve the wins public sector workers expect and deserve.

I encourage all members to talk with your colleagues about your union and the great things we can achieve together.

OUR MISSION

To grow, engage and empower our membership by working collectively to effectively represent, protect and actively advance PSA members’ interests.

Members are at the very heart of everything we do. Your union’s power to achieve results comes from you. Since 1885, PSA members have stood together to support one another, improve and safeguard working conditions, and enable a strong public sector.

Members – now and in our past – saw not only the value of being union; they saw its necessity. All of us who work or have worked in the public sector, and all South Australians, have benefited from the commitment of the PSA members who came before us. As the members of today, we now carry that torch.

There are many examples that illustrate the power that comes from PSA members working together and with their Worksite Representatives to solve issues. From respectful treatment at work, to ensuring reasonable workloads, accessing leave, being paid correctly and more. This is something that every PSA member should enjoy; something that everyone across the public sector should enjoy.

Every working condition, every right, every protection that public sector workers now enjoy has been achieved through PSA members standing together. Together we are strong. So empowering members, providing valuable skills and bringing members together is a key priority for 2023.

A message from the Assistant General Secretary

KEEP THE TORCH BURNING POSITIVE MOVES ON HOSPITAL CAR PARKING

by Christian Hagivassilis

This year, we will bolster our efforts in the training space with range of courses designed to equip members with knowledge and skills that will be invaluable both at work and in life. We will be adding to the training program throughout the year with new courses developed following feedback we have received from members.

We have also just launched the PSA AHP Network , which brings together Allied Health Professional members from across the public sector to work on common issues, campaigns and strategies specific to this group of workers. Our Allied Health members have highlighted issues like resourcing and retention, workloads, hours of work and working condition as being among their current priorities.

Where there are similar issues, there are opportunities to work together as a collective and exercise the strength that can only come from being union. It is time to get members talking and working together.

Whether it is through training, networks, worksite meetings, PSA activities or those quiet conversations with colleagues, your participation in your union benefits us all. If you choose, you could make 2023 the year that you become more involved and continue to carry the torch for a union which has such a proud history of improving people’s working lives.

Late last year, the Public Service Association and the South Australian Government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to cap car parking charges at metropolitan public hospital car parks for workers who are employed by SA Health to work at metropolitan public hospital sites and are covered by the South Australian Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2021.

The MoU also includes extending free public transport to hospital workers who cannot access such on-site/ designated hospital car parking.

A maximum fortnightly charge, equivalent to $2.50 per day, will apply to employees who have an SA Health / Local Health Network-issued permit for on-site/designated hospital car parking. Those employees who cannot access such on-site/designated car parking, will be eligible for free access to public transport.

Early this year, the Government and PSA co-operated to successfully incorporate these new car parking entitlements into a new appendix in the South Australian Public Sector Enterprise Agreement: Salaried 2021. The new appendix took effect on 1 March 2023. The final operational aspects of this new employment condition are currently under consultation with SA Health and the PSA.

The Public Service Association (PSA) has welcomed the release of a report following the Independent Review of SafeWork SA, which included a recommendation to expand the involvement of unions in workplace health and safety.

Conducted by former WorkSafe Victoria Executive Director – and later Board Chair – John Merritt, the so-called ‘root and branch’ review was a pre-election promise of the now Labor Government.

SafeWork SA has increasingly come under fire over its effectiveness in protecting South Australian workers and also for its poor internal workplace culture.

The review aimed to examine:

• The effectiveness of SafeWork SA’s compliance and enforcement functions

• SafeWork SA’s implementation of recommendations from the 2017 Director of Public Prosecutions review, the 2018 Independent Commissioner Against Corruption evaluation, internal audits and coronial inquests into workplace deaths

• measures to ensure that workers and their representatives and families of deceased workers have a genuine voice in the complaints, investigation, and enforcement process

• engagement between SafeWork SA and other government agencies to monitor and improve workplace safety, and

• provide recommendations regarding any other matters that arose during the review.

The PSA consulted with members in SafeWork SA in developing its submission to the review, met with reviewer John Merritt and also contributed to the SA Unions submission.

The review was completed in December 2022, with the government releasing its response on 25 January 2023.

Among Merritt’s key findings were:

• SafeWork SA’s poor culture is driving away staff and impacting capacity and expertise

• Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs) receive insufficient support

• SafeWork SA is not geared towards pursuing a mission of seeing fewer people hurt and killed at work

• SafeWork SA does not respect or involve its social partners (e.g. workers, HSRs, unions, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs)

• SafeWork SA acts with secrecy

• SafeWork SA is poor at proactively identifying and addressing risk.

Of the 39 recommendations, the government has accepted 25 (either

INDEPENDENT REVIEW OF SAFEWORK SA

Sowing seeds for improved health and safety regulator after ‘root and branch’ review

wholly, in part or in principle) and committed to further consultation with stakeholders on 10 recommendations, while rejecting four. Strong advocacy from the PSA and the union movement are needed as part of this consultation process.

The Government has pledged to set up a stakeholder advisory committee to SafeWork SA.

PSA General Secretary Natasha Brown said that unions had a key role to play in workplace safety.

“Workers in South Australia need to have faith and trust in the workplace health and safety regulator. SafeWork SA needs to rebuild its reputation to become a respected agency and this review sows some of the seeds to make that happen,” she said.

Many problems with SafeWork SA have stemmed from the troubled culture of the organisation which has made it difficult for workers — our members — on the ground.

In our submission to the review, the PSA highlighted the poor workplace culture, lack of support for staff and inadequate staffing of the agency as key factors in SafeWork SA being limited in its role as a regulator.

their important regulatory roles. Our members are telling us that often they don’t get the relevant training to be effective in their jobs. They need more resourcing and support.”

Natasha Brown said the PSA and its members had long held concerns about the leadership style at SafeWork SA and were pleased to see the recommendations about a change in focus for the organisation.

“Our members are doing the very best that they can while working under considerable pressure in a difficult environment,” Natasha Brown said.

“The culture of SafeWork SA has been driven by the leadership of the organisation and that has been left severely wanting.

“Morale has been very low and staff feel unsupported by management to carry out

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“We are hopeful that SafeWork SA will move towards working collaboratiely with relevant stakeholders to achieve positive changes in workplace health and safety monitoring and regulation,” she said.

“The PSA will continue to advocate for SafeWork SA to be a safe and effective workplace for our members and a relevant, effective safety regulatory body for South Australian workers in general.”

“ The culture of SafeWork SA has been driven by the leadership of the organisation and that has been left severely wanting. ”

PRICE OF FAILURE TOO HIGH NOT TO INVEST IN CHILD PROTECTION

The crisis in child protection continues to dominate the headlines. A new report offers some sage advice to government for fixing the system

which echoes

what the PSA has been saying for years.

In her important Trust in Culture report, released late last year, independent child protection expert Kate Alexander highlighted that the state’s child protection workforce has “excellent well qualified people”. But she also found that the system is under immense pressure and greater investment in early intervention and intensive family support is both crucial and urgent.

PSA members working in child protection know what they do matters. In fact, Alexander explicitly states this is what “drives them every day, provides the courage to knock on the doors of some of the most impoverished homes to bear witness to the bleakest of predicaments and partner with some of the most overlooked people”.

PSA General Secretary Natasha Brown said the PSA was proud of its hardworking and dedicated members in the child protection system. But she added that they were at risk of burning out and leaving the system if they didn’t get the support and tools they needed to do this difficult work.

“The Department for Child Protection (DCP) needs to improve its capacity to attract, and work much harder to retain

enough suitably qualified workers to care for children and young people, particularly in residential housing,” she said.

“The Department has a sorry record of significant turnover of staff. It has just not done enough to keep good people.”

Working in child protection is a difficult job. It takes a certain kind of person to dedicate their lives to helping young people, who often have endured lives of abuse and neglect, and who often exhibit behaviours that reflect that history of trauma. It takes time and patience to develop positive, trusting relationships between workers and children. But so often, these relationships end because workers are left exhausted and disillusioned by a system that is underresourced and unsupportive.

Image: Freepik.com

Alexander found that in South Australia: “the spending on early intervention and intensive family support is the lowest of all Australian states and territories” and that “this imbalance is set against clear evidence that investing in quality early intervention and family preservation services stems the flow of children in the care system.”

She found that “almost 80 per cent of funds are directed to out of home care” – a situation, she concluded, “reflects a serious imbalance”.

Consistent with the PSA’s long-standing position, Alexander also concluded that “early intervention is of paramount importance”.

“Yet successive governments have repeatedly reduced funding and ceased

MINISTER MUST ACT ON STAFFING CRISIS

In March 2022, days before the last State Election, then Shadow Minister for Child Protection Katrine Hildyard provided the PSA with a list of priorities for improving the lives of children in South Australia’s child protection system, should a Labor Government be elected.

In a letter to the PSA, dated 16 March 2022 (three days before the election), Ms Hildyard outlined a series of five key priorities for action for an incoming Labor Government, namely:

• Giving Children a Voice

• Supporting Carer’s, Grandparents and Extended Families

• Keeping Children Safe: Prevention and Early Intervention

• Breaking the Cycle

• Addressing the Child Protection Workforce Crisis.

As the union representing child protection workers, the PSA has

early intervention and intensive support programs, which are so fundamental to caring for our most vulnerable children,” Natasha Brown said.

“Longer-term action is required. The spot welfare checks on some 500 at-risk children, announced by the Premier last year in a flurry of media attention is short term. Much more is needed for real improvement to child protection services.”

She said that identifying, supporting and funding early intervention and intensive family support programs would reduce the number of children in state care (which has more than doubled in the six years since the Nyland Royal Commission), and also reduce the number of at-risk children in our state.

particular interest in the government’s progress in achieving the workforce goals outlined in the letter, especially the filling of existing job vacancies, developing a workforce plan and connecting student/other job seekers with work in child protection.

“Retention of staff in child protection has been an ongoing challenge, with staff turnover being a major impediment to consistency of care for young people,” said PSA General Secretary Natasha Brown.

“A workforce development plan that recognises the important role child protection workers play and seeks to support them to build a fulfilling career in this field is urgently needed.”

With Ms Hildyard now Minister for Child Protection, the PSA is calling on her to clearly articulate how she will deliver on those commitments to support the state’s child protection system.

In her report, Alexander says early intervention is an “urgent strategy” for “families whose children have been reported over and over, whose problems saturate and sap resources, yet are not reducing”.

“The State Government must make a serious commitment to funding and implementing proven evidencebased early intervention programs and intensive family support. This was in Justice Nyland’s Royal Commission recommendations from 2016, has been highlighted again by Alexander, and is something for which the PSA has been campaigning and lobbying for years. It is now time for action,” Natasha Brown said.

“ The spending on early intervention and intensive family support is the lowest of all Australian states and territories. ”

Kate Alexander, Trust in Culture Report

SAHA SCRAPS ‘BIG BROTHER’ POLICY

PSA advocacy for members has resulted in the South Australian Housing Authority (SAHA) abandoning plans to introduce a questionable ‘Workplace Surveillance Devices’ policy.

In July 2022, the PSA wrote to SAHA strongly objecting to the policy –proposed under the guise of enhancing employee safety – which allowed for workers to be monitored throughout the day by cameras in the workplace.

“While the PSA and our members were assured that surveillance devices were to be used only to support staff safety and deter criminal or inappropriate conduct

by members of the public attending Housing SA offices, the proposed policy allowed for broad surveillance of employees for a number of reasons outside of the scope of safety,” said PSA General Secretary Natasha Brown.

“Our members believed this was a gross infringement on their privacy and felt completely disrespected by their employer.”

In December 2022, SAHA formally advised the PSA that it would not continue with the development of the proposed policy.

PSA MEMBER BENEFIT CENTRE NEW OPENING HOURS

The PSA’s Member Benefit Centre (Ground Floor, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide) is now open from 8:30am to 4:30pm (Monday — Friday).

Our Member Benefit Centre provides a one-stop-shop for a large range of member benefits, including 5% discount on Adelaide Metro metroCARD recharges, $12 Palace Nova movie tickets and many popular discounted shopping cards.

Phone: (08) 8205 3200

E: enquries@psaofsa.asn.au

This outcome was only possible due to extensive feedback provided by our members in SAHA and the strong opposition to the policy from the PSA.

Consultation provisions are among the hard-won rights enshrined in our Enterprise Agreement.

This is a great example of how actively engaging in the consultation process can achieve results for members.

Image: Freepik.com

ALL THE WAY

the conclusion of a momentous legal battle, which saw the PSA win a High Court case in its bid to protect the hard-won industrial rights of members.

If there was ever any doubt about the value of having a strong public sector union, you only have to look to the recent history of the PSA and the time when our union fought on behalf of members all the way to the High Court of Australia.

Back in 2010, the then Labor Government, led by Premier Mike Rann, sought to make unilateral changes to members’ working conditions, with Treasurer Kevin Foley using the 2010/11 State Budget to slash long service leave provisions and abolish recreation leave loading.

That Budget also proposed massive public sector job cuts and the abandonment of many essential services.

This was just months after the government and the PSA had negotiated the South Australian Government Wages Parity (Salaried) Enterprise Agreement 2010.

Naturally, PSA members were angered by the Labor Government’s action and came out in force to protest against what was seen as a betrayal.

government’s obliteration of agreed employment conditions using legislation, rather than through the bargaining process. Consequently, the PSA lodged a dispute with the employer (at the time, the Department of the Premier and Cabinet) in the then Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) – a forerunner to the current SA Employment Tribunal. However, the Commission ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to hear the union’s dispute. A subsequent appeal by the PSA to the Full Commission was also rejected.

The next step was the Supreme Court, where the PSA sought to have the Commission’s ruling overturned. However the Court rejected this appeal, arguing that only the High Court could determine the matter.

The PSA lodged an application with the High Court, and in 2012 the Full Court of the High Court granted leave to hear the case.

Central to the PSA’s High Court case was the application of case law demonstrating that the Full Court of the Supreme Court did, in fact, have jurisdiction to intervene in the case where the IRC had incorrectly ruled that it could not deal with the industrial dispute.

Subsequently, the High Court unanimously determined that the PSA’s case should go back to the Full Court of the Supreme Court.

In 2013, the case was again heard by the Full Court of the Supreme Court of SA. In

the end, the bench concluded that the appeal was no longer relevant, given that the government had subsequently abandoned its decision to remove recreation leave loading and a new Skills and Experience Retention Leave entitlement had been legislated through an amendment to the Public Sector Act, 2009. The amendments granted public sector workers with 15 or more years of service additional leave entitlements – all as a result of PSA advocacy.

The High Court challenge was a landmark case in which the PSA established that the government could not unilaterally change our members’ conditions of employment and entitlements at whim.

At the time, the case eroded much of the established trust that enterprise agreements with government would be negotiated in good faith.

The ill-fated attempt to ride roughshod over PSA members essentially signalled the political end for Rann and Foley. The huge backlash from the PSA and our members demonstrated our seriousness about protecting hard-won rights and any government intent on eroding those rights would have a fight on its hands.

Our rights at work – worth fighting for!

“ The ill-fated attempt to ride roughshod over PSA members essentially signalled the political end for Rann and Foley. ”

PERFORMANCE MEETINGS AND WHEN BOSSES BEHAVE BADLY

It’s an all too familiar story – a public sector worker is summoned to a meeting with a manager (or two levels of management just to stack the deck!) to have a ‘chat’.

It’s often done by email with few details of what the meeting is about. The meeting time comes, the door closes and the ambush begins.

Sometimes the meetings are introduced as an informal chat about about ‘how things are going’, but can fairly quickly descend into a litany of accusations around poor performance and the need to develop a work plan to make sure things improve.

While managers have a legitimate right to address issues of poor or unsatisfactorily performance in the workplace, there are practices that should be followed to ensure procedural fairness.

Too often, managers abuse the imbalance of power that exists between the employer and the individual employee, leaving an employee anxious and in fear for their job, their livelihood and their future career opportunities.

The ambush technique can also result in inappropriate responses, including defensiveness and anger, which further exacerbate the situation.

Public sector managers are charged with ensuring that all employees who report to them have regular performance management and development reviews each year. This is clearly set down in a Direction of the Premier, dated 5 May 2016, which states the following obligation on public sector agencies: “performance management and development reviews [are to be conducted] with all employees (including executives) at least biannually ...”

The process is designed to keep the lines of communication open so that any issues can be addressed and resolved early.

But many public sector workers will have found that this ideal is far from the case in practice.

Performance

development reviews

(PDRs) – if they do take place – are often treated in a perfunctory, tick-box way. In agencies which undergo periodic safety and quality reviews, such as Local Health Networks, there’s often a mad rush to get a backlog of PDRs done before accreditation.

So what should you do if your manager suddenly wants to have one of these meetings?

Firstly, you have a right to know what the meeting is about. You can can ask

for an agenda and any relevant documents that are to be discussed at the meeting and you have a right to have a support person attend the meeting with you.

If you are called in for a chat that turns into an impromptu performance discussion, you can politely ask for the meeting to be adjourned and rescheduled when you have the relevant information and/or allegations before you and have time to prepare for the meeting and arrange to have a support person present, if desired.

The role of a support person

It’s important to document all conversations with management for future reference, recording the date and time and substance of the conversations. By their very nature, performance counselling meetings can be very stressful. A support person can be very handy as a note taker so you can focus on the discussion.

An employee can choose who they wish to be a support person e.g. a co-worker, family member or friend.

Union representation

In certain situations, PSA members may seek to have a PSA Organiser, Industrial Officer or Worksite Representative attend a meeting with them.

A union representative can play an active role in such a meeting. For example,

TOP TIPS

• Never assume it’s just a ‘friendly chat’

• Know Your Rights and don’t be afraid to exercise them

• Don’t agree to or sign anything until you have sought industrial advice

A TALE OF TWO AGENCIES SUPPORT

FOR MEMBERS AFFECTED BY FLOODS

In January, the PSA secured some relief for Department for Correctional Services (DCS) members affected by the River Murray floods.

Members at Cadell Training Centre, who were required to undertake additional travel due to flooding, received mileage payments to offset some of their costs.

travel from their usual place of residence to their workplace.”

Affected members were eligible to receive $1.03 for each additional kilometre travelled in accordance with the SAPSSEI Award, Clause 8.7 — Use of Employee’s Motor Vehicle.

they can ensure that the process is clear and fair and that a member understands the nature of the issues or allegations being put to them. They can also advise a member that they are not obliged to provide an immediate response to management if a more considered response is deemed necessary.

During a performance counselling meeting ideally a manager should do the following:

• Clearly describe the problem and provide recent examples of poor/ unacceptable performance

• Explain how the employee’s actions are affecting the team/department

• Outline expectations and desired outcomes from the meeting

• Give the employee the opportunity to respond and give their view

• Develop a solution with the employee

• Formally document the plan for improvement incorporating review dates.

PSA members should contact the Members’ Rights Hotline on 8205 3227 or at hotline@psaofsa.asn.au for further advice on dealing with performance management or counselling meetings.

Members raised concerns that road and ferry closures due to the flooding necessitated travelling considerable extra distance to attend their worksite. The situation became so serious that DCS was actively considering that some members reside in communal living arrangements closer to the Training Centre.

The issue was compounded by private prison transport contractor Ventia – in another privatisation failure – not meeting its contractual obligation to provide ‘Hospital Watch’ services, adding to the strain on the DCS workforce.

In December, the PSA wrote to DCS to outline members’ issues with recommendations how the Department could support its workforce, including:

• one-off payments to assist in offsetting the costs of additional and significant travel distances.

• paying the mileage rates on any additional kilometres above employee’s usual route to work.

• working together with local tourism operators to initiate a water taxi service to cross the river.

• use of Chief Executive discretion in approving moving days for workers who need to relocate or pack up homes or businesses due to impending flood impacts.

The Department responded to the PSA’s request for support, stating:

“In acknowledgement of this major emergency, the Department will offer financial reimbursement for affected employees for additional mileage required to

Meanwhile, no such support was forthcoming for our members in SA Health also affected by the flooding.

In early January, the PSA wrote to the SA Health Chief Executive requesting that the agency consider similar relief measures for members working in Health in the Riverland. This followed repeated and consistent advocacy by the PSA on behalf of a number of our affected members. However, unlike other departments, such as Education and Corrections, SA Health was determined not to provide support to our affected members.

To add insult to injury, SA Health sent a letter to the PSA on 16 March claiming that “very few employees had contacted the [Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network ’s] HR team about flood-related issues” but then requesting a list of affected members and their personal details so that “consideration can be given to the best means of supporting those identified”. Not only has SA Health not provided support in an urgent manner at the time it was needed, it is now seeking to do an audit of PSA members to see if they deserve support – and more than three months after the fact. Needless to say, the PSA won’t be releasing our members’ personal details to SA Health. All in all, a disappointing response from SA Health to a workforce that has played a vitally important role in serving our community in recent years.

The PSA will continue to highlight issues such as this and how they impact on our members’ work and will always advocate for a fair go in such exceptional circumstances.

STAND WITH THE PEOPLE OF MYANMAR

February 2023 marked two years since the Myanmar military junta seized power in a coup.

Its rule has been marked by extreme repression, with 2,800 people murdered by the military and more than 17,400 unlawfully arrested for political reasons in the last two years. Trade unions have been declared illegal and unionists have been targeted for arrest.

The majority of the country’s 54 million people continue to resist military rule

through the Civil Disobedience Movement.

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is working with the Australian-based group Myanmar Campaign Network to support the reinstatement of democratic civilian rule in Myanmar. The network is made up of human rights organisations, international aid organisations, Myanmar diaspora organisations, trade unions and faithbased organisations.

Australia should introduce sanctions now

Its current priorities include calling on the Australian Government to introduce targeted sanctions on the military, and recognition of the civilian National Unity Government.

The Myanmar diaspora around the world is united in calling for sanctions against the military junta, its militaryowned entities and senior military leaders.

The United States, European Union and United Kingdom have introduced sanctions on the junta’s vast business interests, with military conglomerates Myanmar Economic Corporation and Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd and their subsidiaries being subject to asset freezes.

State-owned enterprises in the lucrative extractive and natural resource sectors have been sanctioned as their accounts are currently under junta control. This includes Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise, Myanma Gems Enterprise, Myanma Timber Enterprise, and Myanmar Pearl Enterprise.

Australia has not introduced sanctions since the coup, but the federal Labor government continues to say sanctions are ‘under active consideration’.

Sham

national elections

Under increasing international pressure, the military announced it would hold national elections later this year. However, new laws have placed huge hurdles in front of political parties seeking to register. Along with the jailing of opposition leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi, it is clear the elections are simply a means for the junta to dampen international criticism.

Myanmar Campaign Network Campaign Manager Tasneem Roc said: “The junta’s proposed elections in 2023 are a mockery of the democratic process. The people of Myanmar have already voted and the will of the people has been repressed.”

International solidarity can help increase pressure on the military junta. Here are some steps you can take to be part of the movement for democracy in Myanmar.

• Talk about Myanmar issues with your friends, family and co-workers. Organise a lunchtime briefing with your co-workers and ask the Myanmar Campaign Network to provide a speaker by emailing contact@ myanmarcampaignnetwork.org

• Email your federal MP and Foreign Minister Penny Wong and let them know you support the introduction of targeted sanctions on Myanmar. Go to https://myanmarcampaignnetwork. org/ for more information.

• Follow the Myanmar Campaign Network Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA on social media for the most up-todate news and campaign information.

Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA is the global justice organisation of the Australian trade union movement. To get involved or become a monthly donor, please visit www.apheda.org.au/join.

GREAT VALUE PSA HOLIDAY HOMES OFFER AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE

The growth of holiday accommodation has really opened up the options for travellers around the world and Australians have embraced the likes of Airbnb and Stayz to make their holiday dollars go further.

But did you know that your PSA Holiday Homes offer an even better deal than the commercial players?

We compared the cheapest available accommodation for a seven-day stay in the regions where PSA Holiday Homes are located (or in the near vicinity) and found that the savings we offer members are massive. Book a PSA Holiday Home and you can use what you’ll save to enjoy the

HOLIDAY

attractions and dining in the region — or maybe even give yourself another break at one of our holiday homes later in the year!

With PSA Holiday Homes saving you at least half of what you’d pay for comparable commercial accommodation, it is a great extra benefit of PSA membership.

PSA Holiday Homes are the best value accommodation available and they are offered exclusively to PSA members. Check out our holiday homes at psaofsa.asn.au/ psa-holiday-homes, email holidayhomes@ psaofsa.asn.au or call our Member Benefits Team on 8205 3200 today to secure your booking.

COST COMPARISONS

$495 peak / $355 off-peak $920 $735

Robe $495 peak / $355 off-peak $1029 $1275

Glenelg $495 peak / $355 off-peak $1217 $861

Goolwa $495 peak / $355 off-peak $827 $911

*Rates are for a 7-day booking for accommodation for four adults from 25 February to 4 March 2023. (Comparison sources: www.airbnb.com.au / www.stayz.com.au). A standard weekly stay at a PSA Holiday Home is from Saturday 2:00 pm to Saturday 10:00 am. **Prices valid until 30 June 2023. Nightly bookings, or anything less than a standard week, can only be made one month in advance. All holiday homes have a two-night minimum stay at a rate of $90/night.

Image: Freepik.com

OUT AND ABOUT

WITH PSA MEMBERS

A PASSION FOR CARING

Tragic stories of neglect, constant media scrutiny, an insoluble staffing crisis – why would anyone want to work in child protection? For a group of dedicated PSA members, working with vulnerable young people is an opportunity to try to make a positive change. The Review spoke with Residential Care Youth Worker and PSA Worksite Representative Jodie Hills about her work and how being part of the union is a crucial aspect of navigating her challenging role.

Jodie Hills says she didn’t choose to be a youth worker – rather it was a career path that chose her.

“Since I started working with young people in care, I have really enjoyed being an advocate for them. My role is to nurture, care for and support children and young people under the Guardianship of the Chief Executive. The young people are the reason I continue to work as a youth worker today,” Jodie, who has been a Department for Child Protection (DCP) youth worker for the past 10 years, said.

It’s an all-encompassing task, which means assisting young people with all developmental areas, including social connections, emotional regulation, physical health and mental health, while also supporting them through their education, sporting and recreational activities and community connections.

Being a public sector worker in an often volatile environment means having the support of the union is essential.

“I actually felt quite voiceless in the Department. I didn’t feel that I could raise issues with anyone higher than me. I didn’t feel they listened,” Jodie said.

“It is important for me to be a member of the PSA because there really is safety in numbers. I would always recommend to join the PSA if you work for the Public Sector,” Jodie said.

When asked by a former PSA Organiser to consider becoming a Worksite Representative, Jodie jumped at the chance to be more involved in workplace organising.

“I signed up, went to a few meetings, loved it straight away … I get so much support from the PSA,” Jodie said.

“I feel that through the PSA I have had the loudest voice to advocate for staff and their work conditions, which helps to create flowon benefits to the young people we care for.

“The union has a extensive role to play in improving child protection in South Australia and the PSA is an amazing advocate for staff and the children and families the Department supports through its campaigns, media engagement and meetings with politicians.”

Being a Worksite Representative for the past five years has also opened doors for Jodie and provided her with the opportunity to lobby the seats of power more directly.

“I have attended Parliament House on a number of occasions and met with Ministers and other Members of Parliament, and had the privilege to advocate for staff,” she said.

“I’ve also had the opportunity to do a lot of training, including being selected for the Anna Stewart Memorial Program.”

Jodie is quite clear that the main priority for DCP staff in Residential Care at the moment is workplace health and safety. Along with

other youth workers, she is concerned by the lack of support being provided to youth workers when faced with challenging behaviours in the residential care homes.

“We have staff right now who are working in what amounts to a domestic violence situation for eight hours on shift. They are getting called names, spat at and having stuff thrown at them,” she said.

“We’ve now got (universal) domestic violence leave for people who are experiencing it at home — what about for the people who are coming to work each day and experiencing it on shift? That needs to be sorted out.”

She is also concerned about staffing ratios in residential care houses with staff numbers determined solely on the number of children requiring care rather than taking into consideration factors such as problematic behaviours exhibited by the residents.

“The ratios are not good enough. The children are often traumatised and they need support. (Not having adequate staffing) puts staff at risk,” she said.

Jodie looks forward to continuing her work with PSA members to achieve reforms in child protection.

“My hope for the year is to work with my fellow youth workers and the PSA to make our workplace safe for all staff and children,” she said.

YOUR 5 - STEP SUPER CHECK 

YOUR

5 - STEP SUPER CHECK 

1

Step 1

2

Register for the Member Portal

Register for the Member Portal

We’re providing more secure, convenient ways for members to access our services including through our Member Portal, accessible 24/7. Here you can review your account details, check your super balance, look at your insurance cover and update your communication preferences. It’s easy – visit supersa.sa.gov.au and select the green login button at the top right or scan the QR code.

We’re providing more secure, convenient ways for members to access our services including through our Member Portal, accessible 24/7. Here you can review your account details, check your super balance, look at your insurance cover and update your communication preferences. It’s easy – visit supersa.sa.gov.au and select the green login button at the top right or scan the QR code.

Step 4

Step 4

Review your insurance cover

Review your insurance cover

Insurance can be complex, but it’s also one of the most effective ways of protecting yourself and your loved ones. You may not need to change your insurance cover regularly, but it helps to check that you have the right amount of cover –especially as your circumstances change.

Insurance can be complex, but it’s also one of the most effective ways of protecting yourself and your loved ones. You may not need to change your insurance cover regularly, but it helps to check that you have the right amount of cover –especially as your circumstances change. Check your level of cover in the Member Portal.

Check your level of cover in the Member Portal.

Check how your super

Check how your super is tracking

is tracking

Do you know how much super you expect to have at retirement and how long will it last? Super is a long-term investment that grows over time, which is why it’s important to check that your retirement savings are on track. Log into the Member Portal after registering and check your balance. Scan the QR code to login. Then try our Super Projection calculator in ‘Tools and Resources’ on our website.

Do you know how much super you expect to have at retirement and how long will it last? Super is a long-term investment that grows over time, which is why it’s important to check that your retirement savings are on track. Log into the Member Portal after registering and check your balance. Scan the QR code to login. Then try our Super Projection calculator in ‘Tools and Resources’ on our website.

Step 5

Step 5

Make sure that your contact details are up to date

Make sure that your contact details are up to date

Update your email address, mobile number and postal address with Super SA so you never miss important updates or opportunities to learn more about your super. Log in to the Member Portal to update your details.

Update your email address, mobile number and postal address with Super SA so you never miss important updates or opportunities to learn more about your super. Log in to the Member Portal to update your details.

For questions about your super, contact Member Services on 1300 369 315 supersa.sa.gov.au

For questions about your super, contact Member Services on 1300 369 315 supersa.sa.gov.au

Check that your investment option still suits you

Check that your investment option still suits you

If you have never chosen an investment option with Super SA, chances are you are invested in the Balanced investment option. It’s worth taking a closer look at the option you’re invested in to see if it reflects your personal objectives.

If you have never chosen an investment option with Super SA, chances are you are invested in the Balanced investment option. It’s worth taking a closer look at the option you’re invested in to see if it reflects your personal objectives.

To learn more, visit the ‘Investments’ section at supersa.sa.gov.au and then log in to review and update your options.

To learn more, visit the ‘Investments’ section at supersa.sa.gov.au and then log in to review and update your options.

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Super SA holds free online and in-person member education sessions, to help members get the most out of their super and insurance.

To register for an upcoming session, visit supersa.sa.gov.au

Super SA holds free online and in-person member education sessions, to help members get the most out of their super and insurance.

To register for an upcoming session, visit supersa.sa.gov.au.

Disclaimer: The superannuation schemes administered by Super SA are exempt public sector superannuation schemes and are not regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Super SA is not required to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence to provide general advice about a Super SA product. The information in this publication is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Super SA recommends that before making any decisions about its products you consider the appropriateness of this information in the context of your own objectives, financial situation and needs, read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of your relevant superannuation scheme and seek financial advice from a licensed financial adviser in relation to your financial position and requirements. SSA1565

Disclaimer: The superannuation schemes administered by Super SA are exempt public sector superannuation schemes and are not regulated by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) or the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA). Super SA is not required to hold an Australian Financial Services Licence to provide general advice about a Super SA product. The information in this publication is of a general nature only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Super SA recommends that before making any decisions about its products you consider the appropriateness of this information in the context of your own objectives, financial situation and needs, read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of your relevant superannuation scheme and seek financial advice from a licensed financial adviser in relation to your financial position and requirements.

Step

Step 2

Step 3

As a South Australian owned and run super fund, Super SA knows what it takes to set you on the path to live your best life in retirement. Here are five steps to help you get on top of your super and feel confident about the future.

Image: Yorke Peninsula, Ethel Beach - Jonathan van der Knaap

Step

Step 3

As a South Australian owned and run super fund, Super SA knows what it takes to set you on the path to live your best life in retirement. Here are five steps to help you get on top of your super and feel confident about the future.

Image: Yorke Peninsula, Ethel Beach - Jonathan van der Knaap

Image: Jonathan van der Knaap

EXERCISING AT WORK

Do you spend your days at work sitting at a desk? If so, you are not alone. Almost half of us spend the majority of our work day sitting down , and that can lead to poor posture, as well as strains and tightness across our muscles.

Jamie Barianos from PhysioEdge at Mile End recommends paying particular attention to your posture when you are sitting at your desk.

Stretch it out

Below are some easy stretches that you can perform throughout the day to keep your body limber and injury free. Each of these exercises should be repeated three times, feeling a comfortable stretch, holding each for up to 15-20 seconds. Ideally you should perform these exercises every 1-2 hours.

Head and neck

• Gently turn your head from looking left, to looking right, and back again.

• Tilt your head each way – bringing your left ear to your left shoulder, then your right ear to your right shoulder.

• Sitting upright and looking ahead, place a finger on your chin. Without moving your finger, pull your chin and head straight back until a good stretch is felt at the base of the head and top of the neck (there should now be some separation between the chin and the finger).

Back and shoulders

• Sitting at your chair, twist your upper body around to the left so you are looking to the left, and slightly behind. Repeat on opposite side.

• Looking forward, rotate your shoulders, bringing them up and backwards in a circular motion. Repeat in a forward motion.

Stretches for standing desks

Some handy hints to improve your posture are:

• Placing your thumbs on your waist, bend backwards.

• With legs placed shoulder width apart, squat down and come back up again gently.

• Standing with two feet flat on the ground, gently raise your heels until they come off the floor.

After work

A great way to help relieve stress or reduce injury after sitting for most of the day at work is to go for a 20-minute walk at least three times per week.

“You could also engage in some other physical activity such as going to the gym, doing yoga, Pilates or a sport,” Jamie says. “These can help general fitness, blood flow and wellbeing. It also encourages movement which we don’t achieve when sitting at a desk most of the day.”

Extracted from: https://www.healthpartners.com.au/health/ stretches-for-the-office

We’re a fund that’s 100% not for profit, so you get more of the good stuff. Get

Disclaimer

The information contained here is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal medical situation. The information is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or used for therapeutic purposes. Should you require specific medical information, please seek advice from your healthcare practitioner. Health Partners does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided. While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them.

PSA members pay less for great value health cover with Health Partners.

DON’T CRASH AND BURN

What you need to know about car accident compensation

Been involved in a car accident? Not sure if you’re eligible for car accident compensation, or if you need help from a lawyer? Car accidents can have lifelong impacts, so it is important to make sure you get compensation after a car accident when you need it.

If you’ve recently had a vehicle accident, you should consult with a car accident lawyer. If you’re not at fault (or only partly at fault) for the accident, you’ll be eligible to receive medical expenses and lost income as a result of your injuries, and you may even be eligible for a lump sum benefit.

Johnston Withers Lawyers takes on a wide variety of vehicle accident claims each year. No matter the details of your case, Johnston Withers is there to help.

Can I get compensation for a car accident?

This is a really common question lawyers get asked. Car accident compensation can be tricky to navigate, but here’s some good news.

In South Australia, every time you pay your motor vehicle registration fee, you’re paying into the state’s compulsory insurance scheme. If you’re involved in a vehicle accident and you’ve been injured, you may be entitled to compensation under this scheme.

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident compensation?

It’s always worth consulting with a lawyer specialising in car accidents and injuries. Even if you were partially at fault for causing the accident, you might still be eligible for compensation. The bottom line is, if you received an injury in a vehicle accident, it is always worth consulting with a lawyer to determine what your options are.

Can I get car accident injury compensation if I wasn’t the driver? Yes. Compensation eligibility extends beyond the drivers in car accidents. You don’t need to be one of the drivers involved in an accident to be eligible for compensation under the SA Compulsory Third Party (CTP) Insurance Scheme.

Perhaps you were a cyclist or pedestrian injured due to a car crash that occurred near you, or maybe your accident involved a train, a bus or a tram. You’re likely to be eligible for car accident injury compensation.

How do I get compensation after a car accident?

If you think you’re eligible for car accident compensation, it’s important to lodge your claim sooner rather than later: Under the SA CTP Insurance Scheme, you must lodge any compensation claims within six months of your accident.

If you’ve been injured in a motor vehicle accident in SA and are claiming car accident compensation, here are some essential details you should know:

• You’ll lodge your claim with one of four insurers: There are five insurers associated with the CTP Insurance Scheme: AAMI, Allianz, QBE, NRMA and Youi. The insurer will vary depending on the registration number of the vehicle that caused the accident. Johnston Withers Lawyers can identify the relevant insurer for your car accident compensation claim.

• Your claim is unlikely to go to court: Most vehicle accident claims in SA do not proceed to the court. Instead, most cases resolve with the claimant (you) and the

insurer agreeing to a settlement, with the insurer paying the claimant a lump sum.

• The insurer may cover some of your legal costs. If you decide to instruct a motor vehicle accident lawyer in Adelaide, you may be worried about legal fees. Know that if you’re found to be eligible for compensation after your car accident, the insurer may be obliged to pay a majority of your legal costs.

Why do South Australians trust Johnston Withers as their lawyers for car accidents?

If you’re looking for help or advice with a legal claim involving a motor vehicle accident, start by calling Johnston Withers. As proud South Australian locals, we have a long track record of success helping our clients win car accident compensation claims, and a detailed understanding of how the insurance scheme works in SA.

It can be difficult to find the right lawyer. Car accidents are stressful experiences, and Johnston Withers can help you get the compensation you deserve.

The friendly and caring team at Johnston Withers has some of the most experienced lawyers for car accidents in South Australia. Johnston Withers has been representing people for more than 75 years. Get in touch today for a discussion and advice about car accident injury compensation. Visit johnstonwithers.com.au/contact today to get started.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

Image: Freepik.com

PSA TRAINING COURSES

Worksite Representatives, activists and members are fundamental to the success of our union. The PSA is committed to supporting and developing our members in their roles. In addition to working with your local PSA Organiser, we offer a host of courses to provide you with the foundations to excel as an active PSA member.

WORKSITE REPRESENTATIVES LEVEL ONE

This training is delivered over three days. This course covers communication skills; the role of the Worksite Representative; interpreting industrial provisions and problem solving skills; union history and much more.

Whether you are a long-serving Worksite Representative or are new to the role, this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to undertake your role confidently and effectively.

Dates: 23 – 25 May 25 – 27 July 31 October – 2 November

Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide

WORKSITE REPRESENTATIVES

LEVEL TWO

This course is available to Worksite Representatives who have completed the Worksite Representatives Level 1 course and have a minimum of 12 months’ experience as a Worksite Representative. The training is delivered over two days and covers advanced communication skills as well as leadership skills.

Dates: 30 – 31 May 5 – 6 September 17 – 18 October

Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide

LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN

Take advantage of the 10 days Trade Union Training Leave that you are entitled to every two years to attend the following courses.

You can register to attend a PSA Training Course via the Member section of the PSA website. psaofsa.asn.au/members/worksiterepresentative-training

EXPERIENCED WORKSITE REPRESENTATIVE

This course is run over two days and is designed for Worksite Representatives with more than four years’ experience and who have either completed Level One and Level Two training or have the relevant skills and knowledge through experience and other qualifications. The course will update key skills, introduce new workplace organisational frameworks, communication skills and provide an update on current campaigns.

Date: 9 - 10 May 8 – 9 August

Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY FOR UNION MEMBERS

This one-day course is open to all members. It provides a general overview of the South Australian Work Health and Safety Act, a practical framework to address work health and safety issues, and advice on how to work effectively with Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs).

Dates: 2 May 15 August 24 October

Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide

The PSA will be conducting a range of other training courses throughout the year to support members with union activities in the workplace. Keep an eye on the regular PSA Information Updates for details.

One of the benefits of PSA membership is having access to specialised legal services through our Legal Services Scheme.

As part of our PSA Lunch ’n ’Learn program, the PSA is continuing to offer members free legal workshops presented by Johnston Withers during 2023.

The workshops cover a range of common legal topics of interest and will take place by video conference on Zoom. All PSA members are eligible to register.

MONTHLY JOHNSTON WITHERS LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN

1 May 2023

Buying a house or investment property – tips and traps

5 June 2023

Crash – What steps to take if you have a car accident

3 July 2023

Stopped by the police –What are my rights and obligations?

Save the Date:

7 August 2023

Current issues in the property market – conveyancing and mortgage update

4 September 2023

Wills and Estates – Topic to be advised

6 November 2023

Breaking up: What is a separation agreement and why will be helpful to you?

Time: Mondays 1:00pm

Venue: Video Conference, via Zoom

Cost: Nil for PSA Members

Visit psaofsa.asn.au/legal-serviceslunch-n-learns-2023 to register for any of the Lunch ‘n’ Learn sessions.

Monthly 30-45 minute information sessions with 15-minute questions time

MONTHLY SUPER SA

LUNCH ‘N’ LEARN

9 June 2023

Transition to retirement

14 July 2023

Financial wellness for Women

11 August 2023

Planning your best retirement

15 September 2023

GREAT SAVINGS FOR MEMBERS WITH PSA PLUS

PSA members looking to save on a range of items can make use of PSA Plus benefits to purchase discounted eGift cards.

For example, if you are looking to buy clothing or stationery, why not purchase eGift cards for Target or Kmart at 5% off?

PSA Plus has your sporting purchases covered, with a 7.5% discount on the Rebel eGift card, available to use for online purchases and at Rebel Sport stores. And put your best foot forward with 7% discount on a Footlocker eGift card.

Save the

Date:

Income stream in retirement

13 October 2023

Insurances in Triple S

10 November 2023

Investment basics

8 December 2023

Understanding your super and consolidation

Time: Fridays 12:00noon – 1:00pm

Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide

Cost: Nil for PSA Members

Visit https://psaofsa.asn.au/super-salunch-n-learns-2 to register for the Super SA Lunch ‘n’ Learn sessions.

For book purchases, Dymocks offers 8% off its eGift Card, and online retailer Booktopia offers a 10% discount on its eGift Certificate.

For your technology needs, both JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys offer 5% discount on eGift cards. So do your best deal in the store and then use your gift card to save even more!

PSA DISCOUNTED GIFT CARDS

Don’t

gift cards, and 10% off Harris Scarfe gift cards.

By taking advantage of these member benefits, you can make substantial financial savings.

Visit the Member Benefits Centre at 122 Pirie Street today or use the order form online at the PSA website.

This is just a small sample of the discounted eGift card offers available through PSA Plus. Check out the PSA Plus website via the Member Section of the PSA website https://psaofsa. asn.au/members/mem-psa-plus for more ways to save.

FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT