Welcome to the first issue of the Public Sector Review for 2022!
This issue focusses heavily on the March 19 South Australian State Election. Pages 12-18 feature the answers from contending parties to questions that are important to PSA members.
The PSA’s Proudly Serving You campaign has just launched online and is also featured in this issue. The campaign will highlight PSA members’ work and their strong commitment to public service.
While the campaign will continue beyond the state election, it provides an opportunity for us to highlight the importance of public services at a time when the community is considering who to vote for on March 19.
If you would like to contribute to this campaign, please get in touch by emailing enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au
Last year, the PSA’s revamped member development program focussed strongly on building workplace organisation and enhancing the skills of our Workplace Representatives and members.
We encourage all members to take a look at page 19 of this issue and register for one of the courses on offer. Trade Union Training Leave is available to all PSA members for most courses.
We hope you enjoy this issue of the Public Sector Review and that the information inside is useful.
During my 40 plus year public sector career working in SAPOL, Corrections, Public and Consumer Affairs, Child Protection, Housing and at the PSA, I have worked alongside hundreds of people who were highly committed to the vital work they performed in making our community safe and in providing those services on which all South Australians, particularly our most vulnerable, rely each and every day.
Since coming to the PSA in 2003 I’ve had the good fortune of meeting and working with a great many public servants - people whose skill, knowledge and dedication fills me with respect and admiration.
That admiration has grown during the past two years as I’ve watched PSA members and their union colleagues respond to the COVID-19 pandemic with commitment, diligence and professionalism.
Throughout the pandemic, the PSA’s communications have regularly highlighted the efforts of our members not just in Health, but across all those agencies most impacted by the pandemic.
It’s hard to recall a time in our recent history that has challenged to a greater extent our capacity to deliver public services to the community.
A message from the General Secretary
This challenge has been further exacerbated by budget cuts, job losses, constant restructures in almost every agency, and the lingering threat of more privatisations from a state government that before the last state election said it didn’t have a privatisation agenda.
This year our new Proudly Serving You campaign (see page 6) will be highlighting the contribution to the people of South Australia of public servants across all agencies.
So many of you carry out your work to a level that belies the increasingly challenging circumstances in which you find yourselves, and do it with pride because of your commitment to serving your community.
Proudly Serving You is about celebrating public servants and your contribution to South Australia.
Through this campaign we will be reminding the community that everyone relies on our public services. They are fundamental to a just society and must be maintained and improved for future generations.
Public services must provide equity of access to the essential human needs of every member of society. Making sure our public services meet this objective should be the highest priority for government.
Unfortunately, despite constant lobbying from the PSA, governments have failed and are still failing to support and provide for the public services our community needs. Our Health and Child Protection sectors, for example, have been stretched beyond their limits for years.
Our message to the community and those vying for power at the March state election is simple – public servants do an incredible job providing services to the community and governments must guarantee the planning, resourcing and infrastructure is in place to enable you and your colleagues to carry out your work to the highest possible level.
Keeping your union strong is also very important. When experienced workers are lost to the public sector, our union membership is also affected. Our capacity to support members and lobby government to resource the public sector properly is largely reliant on maintaining a strong, united and active membership.
If you have colleagues who are yet to join the PSA, please take the time to encourage them to join, which is now easily done on the PSA website. We must keep building our membership, especially in workplaces where union membership may have waned – your wages, conditions, and the quality and breadth of public services we can provide to the community relies on it.
A message from the President
Welcome to a new year which is now well underway. With the holiday break over, I’m energised by our plans for 2022.
We have started the year with our PSA Council focussed on maintaining the good governance of your union, and guiding the PSA’s strategic direction and actions we take to support members throughout 2022. I’m looking forward to working with our dedicated Council members as the year progresses.
Throughout my time as a PSA member, Worksite Representative and Councillor I have seen and been part of the work done behind the scenes by PSA leadership and officers to lobby strongly for the protection and improvement of our public services. This advocacy and our member campaigns have led to many significant wins over the years.
With the state election imminent, PSA members once again have an opportunity to advocate strongly for the public services you all proudly provide to our community.
It’s vitally important that PSA members are aware of the policies relevant to the public sector that the respective political parties are taking to the election – and which of these policies will most support the public sector. I encourage you to talk to your family and friends about why public services are such an important consideration when voting in this election.
COVID-19 continues to present challenges. I am so proud of the commitment of PSA members in keeping our public services running, sometimes under very difficult circumstances. This year will no doubt present further challenges for all public sector workers. I know PSA members remain proudly committed to meeting those challenges. I thank all PSA members for your outstanding efforts during the pandemic. Your union highly
by Lillia Rozaklisvalues your dedication to the services you provide our community, and we understand how difficult it has been during the past two years.
As President of the PSA I am determined to make sure that the PSA is there to support members through these difficult times. Make sure you call on this support when you need it. The PSA Members’ Rights Hotline is open from 8:45am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday on 8205 3227
Make sure you take opportunities to look out for each other and support your colleagues. That’s what union members do.
Best wishes for a successful 2022.
A South Australian Public Sector in which PSA members are highly valued and well-resourced, with fair and secure working conditions and entitlements.
To grow, engage and empower our membership by working collectively to effectively represent, protect and actively advance PSA members’ interests.
A message from the Assistant General Secretary
by Natasha Brown
As the principal union representing public sector workers in South Australia, the PSA plays a pivotal role in shaping debate around public sector policy, consistently advocating for wellresourced, quality, affordable and accessible public services.
The PSA is not affiliated to any political party. We maintain regular communication with all parties, ensuring they are all aware of our members’ issues and priorities. We push them to support our union’s vision for a strong public sector, where PSA members are respected and valued, across all of the diverse and important areas in which you work to serve our community and keep our state running.
Since the last state election, we have continued to directly lobby political leaders for stronger commitments in support of the public sector, of PSA members, and of the public services you provide. In particular, the PSA has consistently and strenuously lobbied all parties to commit to greater resourcing of the public sector and no further privatisation. Importantly, this work has been strongly backed up by consistent campaigning and activism across our PSA membership.
With the state election now nearly upon us, the time has come to evaluate how well the various parties’ plans and commitments align with the PSA’s vision and our members’ priorities and values.
The PSA has written to leaders of each of the major political parties seeking their respective positions on, and intentions for, our public sector; their responses are contained in pages 12-18 of this issue.
Members will be pleased to see that, as a result of sustained and effective PSA lobbying and campaigning, there has been a positive shift in the preelection commitments from some parties compared with the last election, in particular in relation to commitments about public sector resourcing and privatisation. Most of the parties have also made specific reference to the Legislative Council Select Committee Inquiry into the Privatisation of Public Services in South Australia, to which the PSA contributed a detailed written submission and presentation last year.
The Select Committee has recently reported, finding favourably to the PSA’s position and adopting several of our recommendations. The report and recommendations were endorsed nearly unanimously by the members of the Select Committee, with the only dissenting report being made by the committee member from the Liberal Party. This signals wide political acknowledgement that South Australia requires greater scrutiny and transparency over privatisation decisions, and that it would be appropriate to impose a moratorium on privatisation until particular issues can be resolved. This is significant progress which will
certainly support our union’s ongoing work and campaigning to fight privatisation and keep our public sector strong.
The upcoming state election presents an opportunity for PSA members to have a say in who you want to represent you and who will be making important decisions about the future of the public services you provide. It is essential for members to know what each party has in store for our public sector. The election result will directly impact members’ working lives and the services you provide to our community.
I encourage all members to review the policies of candidates vying for your vote, including the responses contained in this issue, and to contact your local candidates directly, ask them questions and seek commitments on matters important to you and to the area in which you work, so that you can make an informed choice when you cast your ballot in March and help shape the future of our public sector.
A copy of the Report of the Select Committee on the Privatisation of Public Services in South Australia, as well as a copy of the PSA submission to the inquiry, are available for download on the PSA website at: psaofsa.asn.au/campaigns/sanot-for-sale
Why are you proud to be a public servant?
We aren’t here to make a profit out of people. We’re here to support people to live good lives and, particularly, good lives as they age.
We walk alongside people – the Office of Ageing Well supports older people – we get them involved and help them feel part of the community. And keeping people part of the community as they age is really important.
I think about my parents who are in their eighties. I think about their friends and their relatives. And I think about the broader South Australian population – we have a large proportion of older people which is going to increase as time goes on – we’re helping them maintain their place in society.
Just because you get older doesn’t mean you slip down the rankings. Sometimes people have internalised the community’s perceptions and the messages that are out there. Sometimes they’ll say things like, “I’m just retired,” and don’t see their contribution as important any more. It’s as if they feel diminished. Of course, work is important, but it’s not the only thing that’s important, so we work to help continue older people’s involvement and enjoyment of life.
I’m really proud to be part of that effort.
The PSA will be profiling members across all public sector agencies as part of our Proudly Serving You campaign.
For more on what makes PSA members proud to deliver public services to our community, follow us on social media and share your fellow members’ stories with your family and friends.
And if you would like to be involved in our campaign, we’d love to hear from you. Send an email to enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au telling us in 300 words or less why you’re proud to be a public servant.
Facebook: @PublicServiceAssociationSA
Twitter: @PSA_of_SA
Read the Department for Health and Wellbeing’s Plan for Ageing Well at: www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/ planforageingwell
The Greens, SA Best and Labor have now all made clear their opposition to privatisation (see p13).
The PSA has been intensively lobbying all political parties for many years to put at end to privatisation.
That lobbying, along with consistent and targeted campaigning, played a key role in keeping SA Pathology, South Australian Medical Imaging, BreastScreen SA and a number of smaller programs in public hands.
In September 2021, PSA Assistant General Secretary, Natasha Brown, appeared before the Legislative Council Select Committee Inquiry into the Privatisation of Public Services in South Australia, an inquiry the PSA had been seeking for some time.
Natasha Brown’s appearance followed the PSA lodging a comprehensive submission to the Committee highlighting the mountains of evidence from Australia and around the world which shows privatisation’s negative impact on public services and our community.
The Select Committee heard from a number of witnesses, including academics, trade unions, SACOSS and multinationals like Keolis Downer. In November, the Select Committee handed down its report which acknowledged greater scrutiny is required when privatisations are being considered by government. The report adopted a number of the PSA’s recommendations.
The PSA has played a key role in the SA Unions Save SA Services campaign which has called on all political parties to “commit to principles of keeping public services in public hands and save South Australia from being sold off for shortterm gain and long-term pain.”
In early February the Labor Party released its Industrial Relations for the Future policy ahead of the state election.
Page 9 of the policy details Labor’s commitment to ban any new privatisations and to review contracts for those currently in place.
“Labor will take the toughest stance in South Australia’s history on privatisation by banning new privatisations of public services in South Australia.
Labor will establish a parliamentary committee that will undertake in-depth reviews of contracts for existing outsourced and privatised services.
Within our first 100 days, we will establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry into the Return of Public Transport Services to investigate the method for the return of train and tram services into public ownership and control.
The Commission of Inquiry will also examine the feasability of returning privatised bus services back into Government control. Labor will legislate to protect SA Water from any future privatisation.”
Never before has a party which could form government committed so strongly in policy to a ban on privatisations.
The Labor policy to ban privatisations is consistent with community sentiment. Polling carried out for SA Unions prior to the launch of the Save SA Services campaign clearly showed that the vast majority of the South Australian population is opposed to the privatisation of public services.
While the current state government has sold off public services to large multinationals – as did previous governments - the PSA and its members have relentlessly highlighted the reasons public services should remain in public hands.
The PSA welcomes Labor’s commitment to ban new privatisations in – the first major political party to do so.
Labor’s industrial relations policy also includes strong commitments to ensure workers have a genuine voice in complaint and resolution processes; to strengthen the South Australian Employment Tribunal’s capacity to enforce decisions; to ensure workers have representation on bodies that oversee work and training; to work toward consistency around Domestic Violence Leave and to bolster TAFE as the primary provider of skills training in South Australia.
The result was a win for all PSA members who stood so firm in the face of the state government’s persistent and hostile anti-worker agenda which threatened to strip away job security and other important working conditions.
In mid-January 2020, state government negotiators presented the PSA with their bargaining “themes”. Their intentions were, among other things, to remove job security provisions and make it easier to sack public servants; to minimise the influence members have over their daily working lives through consultation; and reduce members’ ability to dispute poor management decisions and mistakes.
The government’s agenda was hostile, regressive and designed to make slashing and burning public sector jobs much easier. Attacks on public servants’ working conditions ultimately represent
an attack on the public services PSA members and their colleagues proudly deliver to our community.
Mobilising members
PSA members were kept informed and active through workplace discussions, PSA Information Updates, social media, and regular work group meetings –including many held remotely through the pandemic – and at our EB barbecues. Members were encouraged to ensure all public servants understood the full extent of the government’s genuine intent to strip their working conditions.
Thousands of members signed EB pledge cards, committing to stand firm against the hostile attack on their working conditions. The government was made acutely aware they were up against a union whose members were determined not to surrender conditions it had taken decades to achieve.
Members made it especially clear they were united in their opposition to the government’s intent to wipe out their job security provisions.
“We can’t provide quality public services if we don’t have job security, it’s really that simple,” said longtime PSA member and Worksite Representative Miriam Wallman at one meeting.
PSA Councillor and Child Protection Social Worker Heather Muggridge said job security was important for the community, workers’ families and, in particular, for the clients with whom she works. “The vulnerable people we support are entitled to continuity, and we can’t have that if we don’t know whether we have a job in six months or 12 months,” she said.
On 26 November 2021, SA public sector salaried employees voted ‘yes’ to a new enterprise agreement. All conditions are protected.
These important points, reflecting the consistent position expressed by members, were made by dedicated PSA members who understand that enterprise bargaining and the agreements unions make with governments have far-reaching consequences not only for the workers covered by them, but for the whole community.
Over the course of the campaign PSA negotiators were busy in the background, meeting with government and strongly advocating for the priorities members had set at the beginning of the process and to which they held firm.
The PSA’s bargaining position was strong, unwavering and, most importantly, backed up by a unified and committed membership.
PSA General Secretary Nev Kitchin made the PSA’s position very clear when
For information on PSA Member Benefits, Holiday Homes, and for all of your membership enquiries, contact the PSA between 8:30am – 2:30pm Monday to Friday.
Phone: (08) 8205 3200 | E: enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au
www.psaofsa.asn.au
he told government negotiators that preserving the integrity of the enterprise agreement’s Retraining, Redeployment and Redundancy (RRR) provisions was crucial to PSA members.
He argued that the RRR provisions were effective for all parties, and that there was no genuine rationale for change.
As a result of sustained union and membership pressure the government moved from their persistent hostile and unreasonable position. The PSA’s position of protecting all existing enterprise agreement conditions prevailed.
The signing of the new South Australian Modern Public Sector Enterprise Agreement (Salaried) 2021 in November was a significant win for PSA members and the South Australian community they proudly serve.
Along with maintaining job security and the existing conditions of employment, the three year agreement includes a number of improvements as well as four pay rises of 1.5% (August 2021, August 2022, August 2023 and August 2024), including back-pay to the first full pay period in August 2021. The outcome also included a $1000 one-off payment (pro-rata for part-time employees).
Congratulations to all PSA members for standing so strongly together to protect your hard-won working conditions in what was a hostile negotiating environment.
Details of the conditions secured and improvements achieved by PSA members can be found on the PSA website.
www.psaofsa.asn.au/news
It is important to remember that governments do make choices. They choose what their priorities are and what they are not.
It’s nearly time for PSA members to make their choices about what kind of government would be good for the South Australian community –and what kind of government would be good for the public sector.
People will be making choices between the kind of government that privatises public services – or maintains responsibility and accountability by keeping them in public hands. Do people want the kind of government which would, for example, privatise a public prison to a notorious multinational five months after being elected despite stating before an election it did not have a privatisation agenda?
People will be making choices between the kind of government that values equitable access to public services, for example, Service SA centres where people with limited transport and IT options can access them – or a government which simply seeks to close such centres regardless of the impact on the community members who need them.
People will be making choices between the kind of government that values accountability in public sector administration – or a government which, for example, can see no issue with making three direct appointments (i.e. non-merit based) on $1m contracts in one department to effect a privatisation. Or paying millions to private administrator Korda Mentha to run a major component of our public health system.
It’s nearly state election time, a time when our community chooses a government which then makes its own choices for the next four years.
The PSA provides information to members on industrial matters and other benefits by email. To ensure you receive the very latest information, please let us know if your email address changes. Just send an email to: enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au with the details and your membership record will be updated.
People will be making choices between the kind of government which would seek to privatise the state’s pathology service until a pandemic arrived and it discovered it had health heroes working there protecting our community.
People will be making choices between the kind of government that values and supports child protection workers – or drives them out of the system by making their work impossible and their health and safety expendable.
People will be making choices about the kind of government that would value and acknowledge its own employees (and their representatives) - or one willing to devote two full years trying to strip important employment conditions from them – for example job security, which is so important to a strong public sector and to public sector workers’ wellbeing.
The PSA asked all parties with members in the lower and upper houses of parliament some questions which are important to members.
We posed the exact same questions to all parties. We advised we would publish their responses in full in the PSA Review. We provided exactly the same timeframe and word count for their responses.
The questions and answers are published in full in this Public Sector Review in order to help members consider their choices – choices which will have a serious impact on their working lives and the lives of the community members for whom they dedicate their careers so proudly to serve.
It’s nearly time for PSA members to make their choices about a government that will make its own choices and will determine its priorities for the next four years.
Governments can choose to make a priority of investing in public services. Governments can choose what public services are provided, and the quality and resourcing of those services.
PSA members, and the broader community, when they consider their choices at election time, may do well to consider the potential choices the next government may make about its priorities, policy options, values, and the equitable provision of public services that the community needs and expects.
“Governments can choose to make a priority of investing in public services. ”
What does your party see as the role of the public sector in our community and economy?
The Greens have great ambition for a strong and effective public sector in South Australia. We see the public sector as being an essential part of not only the economy, but of society.
We firmly believe that the public sector is best placed to respond to changing social, environmental and economic circumstances, and to enhance society’s capacity to pursue important goals such as justice, equity and sustainable environmental objectives as well as community services obligations.
The public sector should be well resourced, both in its finances and the people it employs, to enable the delivery of quality services to the community.
There is no doubt that the public sector and public sector workers are the lifeblood of Government and administration, and that Government could not function without them. A frank and fearless public service is critical to a functioning democracy.
To quote the PSA - A strong and wellresourced public sector builds our State’scapacityandensuresallSouth Australians have equitable access to the services they need to thrive.
The public sector is our largest single employer and provides critical services – including services of last resort – and those that need to be in public hands like health and public transport.
The public sector can and should set the standard of a model employer in terms of respect, productivity, job security, diversity and inclusion while offering career opportunities and flexible employment.
This amazing human resource is never more important than during emergencies and crises when its scale and depth allow resources to be redeployed at short notice and with great confidence.
The public sector supports the private sector by ensuring a level playing field through advice and compliance while delivering the infrastructure and services that keep costs down for business.
The Marshall Liberal Government acknowledges the critical role the public service plays in the efficient delivery of public services and assisting in the implementation of the Government’s plans to generate jobs and economic growth in South Australia and particularly as the State emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government acknowledges and appreciates the key role that public servants have taken during the COVID-19 pandemic in supporting communities across our State and keeping South Australia safe and strong.
A skilled, efficient and wellresourced public sector is the “engine room” of any government. Its critical role to government cannot be understated.
SA-BEST strongly supports a public sector that can expertly and impartially support the government of the day to achieve the common good and economic wellbeing of all South Australian citizens and the broader South Australian community and economy.
We see the public sector –which is by far the state’s largest employer with more than 100,000 employees - as vital, and key to the state’s ongoing growth and prosperity.
This is achieved through the delivery of existing, new and innovative services that have a positive and enabling impact across a broad range of portfolios including health, education, law and order, environment, mining and energy, industry, consumer services, transport, trade and tourism, human services, community service, justice and technology.
The PSA asked the four main parties vying for election at the March 19 State Election to respond to questions about their policies and commitment to public services. We publish their responses here.
Will your party guarantee not to privatise, outsource or commercialise, or support the privatisation, outsourcing or commercialisation, in whole or in part of any public sector assets or services?
The Greens oppose the privatisation of government assets and services. The Greens will not support any legislation or policy that seeks to privatise government services.
Outsourcing public services and functions and using public funds to enrich corporate interests undermines the value and quality of public services.
The Greens have a track record for defending government services and assets. The Greens defended a strong, public TAFE system when Labor and Liberal chose to corporatise TAFE SA, and we’ve seen the disastrous results of that decision. The Greens also established an inquiry into the privatisation of public services in South Australia.
Labor will take a tough stance on privatisation by banning new privatisations of public services in South Australia.
Labor supported the ongoing Parliamentary inquiry into privatisation and, if elected, will establish a Parliamentary Committee to undertake in-depth reviews of contracts for existing outsourced and privatised services.
Within our first 100 days, we will establish an Independent Commission of Inquiry to investigate the method for the return of train and tram services into public ownership and control.
The Commission of Inquiry will also examine the feasibility of returning privatised bus services back into Government control.
Labor will legislate to protect SA Water from any future privatisation.
Contrary to their past election promises, when in office the former Labor government embarked on a massive programme of privatisation (MAC, LTO, Lotteries Commission, SE Forests, etc) and paid KPMG $100,000 for a secret report into the privatisation of SA Water.
When the former Labor government privatised the Lands Title Office it included in the deal, but did not disclose, that Labor had granted an exclusive right to negotiate for the further privatisation of Other State Registry functions such as the Motor Vehicles Registry currently managed by DPTI and any other registry managed by the State.
The Government has not and will not support the privatisation of SA Water.
There are many current examples where public services are being successfully delivered by private or nongovernment suppliers. We have a responsibility to consider such options where it is clearly in the public interest to do so.
SA-BEST is totally opposed to the privatisation of public assets – assets owned by the hard-working taxpayers of South Australia.
SA-BEST has two members in the Legislative Council – Connie Bonaros MLC and Frank Pangallo MLC - who have both demonstrated their strong commitment to the South Australian public sector since they were first elected in 2018.
This has included them both proactively advocating and voting against the privatisation, outsourcing, commercialisation and/or closure of key services such as health, pathology, land services, key Service SA metropolitan outlets, transport and aged and disability care.
SA-BEST also fully supports the recommendations made in the final report of a Select Committee – of which Frank is a Member - inquiring into the privatisation of public services in South Australia.
These recommendations include Parliament establishes a Standing Committee to review existing privatisations and make recommendations in relation to any proposed privatisations prior to government approval.
Job losses and budget cuts have resulted in service reductions and workload increases over a long period of time. What will your party do to ensure the public sector is appropriately resourced to meet the current and future needs of South Australians?
The Greens won’t be in Government following this State Election, but we will likely hold the balance of power in the upper house.
We’ve held the balance of power before and have made that count, particularly when it comes to standing up for the rights of workers. Our track record is strong and we’ve consistently stood against cuts to the public sector.
We advocate for making sure big players such as banks, developers and miners pay their fair share of tax so that we can ensure essential services and workers are resourced and supported when we need them. This will allow for a strong public sector to provide public services now and into the future.
Public sector workers drove our response to the COVID-19 pandemic - continuing to serve when many other sectors understandably had to shut down and providing support at a time when we needed it most.
That is one of the many reasons why we have decided not to waste $662 million on a basketball stadium and instead put that money into our health system, including $100 million for country health.
A key focus of a Labor Government will be ensuring that the public sector has both the people and the tools to serve the people of South Australia. This includes investing in buildings, equipment and technology that make it easier, safer and more efficient for workers to achieve their best.
Labor is also committed to better representation of workers and their unions on bodies that advise and inform the government on the regulation and resourcing of their critical work.
The Government has invested in the public sector and established funding for areas that address the future needs and challenges for our state, including providing the resources, equipment, technology, training and development public servants need to do the job expected of them. Priority areas such as health, education and child protection have received significant increased funding.
The Government continues to work co-operatively with the public service to ensure excessive workload issues are not allowed to continue.
SA-BEST has and will continue to oppose any service reduction, workload increases and reduction in conditions of service and remuneration in the South Australian public service.
We will do this by using our position of influence on the Legislative Council’s crossbench.
SA-BEST has robustly argued for additional staffing and resourcing of critical agencies such as health, child protection, police and education and has introduced legislation for the establishment of new statutory bodies such as a Gender Equality Commission.
Frank Pangallo’s amendments to the ICAC Act now provide significant protections for public servants, including importantly, the provision of conditional legal assistance.
Further, Connie Bonaros spearheaded complex legislative changes to superannuation laws that impacted South Australia’s 200,000plus past and present public servants who for the first time are now able to select a superannuation fund of their own choosing, ending the monopoly the State Government-owned SA Super superannuation business enjoyed for decades.
Will your party support ongoing employment as the primary form of employment for the public sector and minimise the use of contract employment? Will your party reduce the level of insecure and contract employment in the public sector by converting employees to ongoing employment where they have been employed in a continuous cycle of term contracts?
The Greens believe that workplace laws – and the public sector as a model employer – should ensure people have a secure job, a good balance between working, personal and family life, and protect people’s rights at work.
We want to reduce casualisation, contract employment, and other forms of insecure work in the workforce and believe that the Government needs to lead by example by providing stable and secure work in the public sector.
Further, it is our position that all workers deserve full protection of their accrued entitlements. We also support the expansion of leave provisions and entitlements to allow for paid leave for foster caring, surrogacy, kinship care and escaping domestic violence. Our policy calls for at least 15 days of paid family and domestic violence leave for all workers.
Labor is the only party with work in its name and creating decent jobs is at the core of our beliefs. We were born 130 years ago when workers united to demand a better deal.
Safe, secure and sustainable work is a foundation stone for Labor – workers can plan ahead, make long-term commitments, support their families and contribute to the community.
In Government, Labor supported the inclusion of clause 10.1 in the 2017 enterprise agreement that “ongoing employment is the primary form of public sector employment” and our position hasn’t changed.
Rampant privatisation is undermining public services and job security. This why Labor is promising to ban new privatisations of public services in South Australia and we will reverse the privatisation of trams and trains.
Labor will also reinstate a labour hire licencing system that covers all occupations – including areas where the public sector may engage labour hire.
The Government supports ongoing employment as the primary form of employment for the Public Sector. This form of employment obviously provides the greatest level of security for the individuals involved. Of course, other forms of employment, as used by the former Labor government, have continued to be used.
SA-BEST is supportive of meritbased appointments, however, has strong and clear views on the importance of an accountable public service that is best achieved through fair and equitable employment.
SA-BEST believes South Australian taxpayers are best served by a diligent, client focused public sector that provides objective and thorough advice to government, implements ministerial directions promptly and efficiently, exercises delegations in an accountable transparent way – irrespective of who is the government of the day –and critically, provides and delivers a range of key services to the people of South Australia.
Similarly, SA-BEST is generally opposed to widespread subcontracting, especially where the service is currently – or can be –delivered by a properly resourced and trained public sector.
SA-BEST was opposed to the termination of public sector jobs in favour of sub-contracting those functions to private companies or assigning them to labour hire firms, especially to critical infrastructure areas and our public health system.
Over the years the Greens have had a good working relationship with the PSA and your members. We appreciate the perspectives your members have offered us on issues that affect them and actively seek out their view where appropriate.
The Greens have regularly consulted and worked with the PSA and PSA members on issues that affect them, such as in establishing the Privatisation Select Committee or working with child protection workers to draw attention to the issues they face.
The Greens look forward to continuing this relationship, and members can always get in touch with our offices at: franks.office@parliament.sa.gov.au, simms.office@parliament.sa.gov.au, saoffice@sa.greens.org.au
Labor’s development of its election policies in Opposition demonstrates how we will consult in government. This included one-on-one discussions with many unions along with broader discussions with SA Unions.
Labor will ensure that employees and their representatives are key members of the bodies that oversee, regulate and advise government on their work. Where matters require negotiation – we will negotiate in good faith.
Our commitment is not just to the PSA. We make this commitment equally to all unions who represent our public sector.
Our commitment also goes beyond consultations required by law. We value the voice of unions when developing new strategies and programs that affect workers and the wider community.
While we can’t promise to deliver everything that the PSA asks for all the time – your voice will be heard, respected and play a part in the decisions that we make.
The Government since being elected in March 2018 has consulted genuinely with the PSA about proposals that have a significant impact upon PSA members.
As you would be aware, since March 2018 the Government have met with the PSA on a regular basis and if re-elected the Government would continue that practice of regular consultation.
SA-BEST is proud of its strong track record of engaging with the PSA and indeed all unions.
This includes consultation about legislation SA-BEST is proposing to introduce itself or government and opposition legislation it will consider.
We highly value the generous contributions and input we actively seek and receive from the PSA.
SA-BEST will continue to consult regularly with a wide range of employee and stakeholder interest groups.
What will your party do to consult genuinely with the PSA about proposals under consideration that impact upon PSA members or the public services they provide?
Is your party committed to maintaining the state industrial jurisdiction? Does your party support collective bargaining, and recognise the legitimate right of members to be represented by their union? What steps will your party take to meet the government’s obligation to being a model employer?
The Greens have always supported the right of all workers to collectively bargain and to be represented by their union. We want to ensure that everyone has the right to join or not join a union that represents them in the workplace, and we want to ensure the right of entry for union officials into the workplace of members they represent.
We support workplace laws that recognise the right to strike or withhold labour, to collectively bargain, and to organise. Working people, including their representatives, have the right to be involved in decisions about their work, free of intimidation.
We believe that Governments –and therefore the public service – should be role models for other sectors to follow, as a model employer, a model buyer, and a model business partner. We also want the public sector to model greater staff participation in decision making – particularly in management appointments within their agencies.
Labor supports the state jurisdiction for state and local government employees while acknowledging the problems that need to be addressed in some of its parts.
Labor will undertake a root and branch review of the practices and processes of SafeWork SA to improve safety, deliver prompt action on safety concerns, support improved physical and mental wellbeing, and ensure a genuine voice for workers in complaint processes.
Labor will also work towards consistency in the state system for domestic and family violence leave while expanding the Objectives of the Fair Work Act to include gender equity.
The practice and jurisdiction of the SA Employment Tribunal will be reviewed to ensure that it is effective and efficient for all those who use it and empower it to enforce its decisions without going through other courts.
Labor not only recognises the right of workers to be represented by a union – we encourage it.
The Government has and will maintain the state industrial jurisdiction, supports collective bargaining and recognises the right of members to be represented by their union.
As demonstrated over the last four years, the Government has acted fairly and in the public interest through its industrial negotiations with employee groups in achieving enterprise agreements and, if re-elected, the Government will continue to do so.
SA-BEST has a policy of robustly supporting the maintenance of the state industrial jurisdiction, and has demonstrated a track record of supporting workers’ legitimate rights to collective bargaining, union membership and union advocacy.
Each related Bill that comes before the Legislative Council is carefully and closely scrutinised by SA-BEST to ensure the government of the day meets its obligations as an employer and indeed continually improves as a model employer.
SA-BEST has shown on numerous occasions it will stand up for all union members and public sector employees, particularly where their conditions, salary or tenure are under threat or being negatively impacted by government or Opposition legislation.
We have stood alongside police, health workers and teachers in their push for fair and equal opportunities – and will continue to do so in the future.
What is your party’s commitment to investing in our State’s future through the direct employment and training of trainees and graduates in the public sector?
We know that providing employment and development opportunities for young people is key to ensuring that they can stay in South Australia, and these opportunities can and should be provided through employing trainees and graduates in the Public Sector.
The Greens are absolutely committed to ensuring that we have trainee and graduate positions and programs in the public sector.
Graduates and trainees are our leaders of tomorrow, but fewer and fewer SA government opportunities divert our best and brightest interstate or into the private sector.
This loss isn’t just about youth – it includes mature age graduates and trainees who bring their previous professional and life experience into their new career.
The government’s Graduate Register was closed two years ago so agencies have no central information source about those with the skills and desire to help our community. At the same time, the government can’t or won’t reveal how many graduates and trainees are hired each year.
In contrast, in its last term of government, Labor’s Jobs4Youth program placed more than 800 trainees and graduates into the public sector from 2014 to 2017.
If elected, Labor will restore the Graduate Register and be transparent about the numbers of graduates and trainees so we can plan ahead and provide more opportunities.
The Government has demonstrated its commitment to employing trainees and graduates in the public sector.
Where finances have permitted, we have provided funding to expand training programmes.
SA-BEST is a strong supporter and advocate for investment in our South Australian workforce via direct employment of employees, trainees and graduates in the public sector.
We will continue to advocate for more focussed, skill-matched traineeship positions across the entire public sector.
SA-BEST would also support an expansion of public sector apprenticeships across various disciplines.
The 2022 PSA training calendar continues to build on our 2021 program which focused on developing workplace union organisation, increasing membership and enhancing the skills of our Worksite Representatives and members.
Our 2022 program features two new courses:
Experienced Worksite Representative (2 days)
Our Experienced Worksite Representative course is designed for Worksite Representatives who have more than four years’ experience in the role. It includes a refresher and update on core Worksite Representative skills as well as an update on current PSA campaigns and structures.
Work Health and Safety for Union Members (1 day)
Are you having health and safety issues at your worksite? Our Work Health and Safety for Union Members course is tailored to meet the needs of specific workplaces. The course provides a practical framework to address Work Health and Safety issues and how to work effectively with Health and Safety Representatives. Contact your PSA Organiser or the PSA directly if your work group is interested in this PSA training.
More training
As always we will continue to provide our core program of courses, including: Workplace Representative Level 1 and 2, Reclassification Lunch ‘n’ Learns, Reclassification Workshops, Get that Job, Public Speaking, and a wide range of online workshops.
Keep an eye on our website and PSA email updates for more information.
WORKSITE REPRESENTATIVES LEVEL ONE
March 8 – 10
May 3 – 5
Union training is essential to providing PSA members and workplace leaders with the skills you need to address issues at work. We welcome members’ suggestions on how we can continue to enhance our training program, as well as your ideas about new topics or courses that would benefit members.
We have received feedback from members about our multi-day Worksite Representatives training courses, with some members saying they find it difficult to attend for 2-3 days when they are scheduled consecutively. Our training team has responded to this and, where possible, we will modify the structure of the program to accommodate the particular members attending for that training.
If you do have suggestions on how we can enhance our training program or ideas for new training courses we could provide, please send an email to enquiries@psaofsa.asn.au .
Please take a look at our 2022 program to identify which courses you may like to attend, keeping in mind that some courses are designed specifically for Worksite Representatives.
Head to psaofsa.asn.au/member-login to register for all PSA training courses
Dates:
July 5 – 7
September 6 – 8
November 15 – 17
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide
WORKSITE REPRESENTATIVES LEVEL TWO
March 15 – 16
May 26 – 27
Dates:
July 12 – 13
October 18 – 19
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide
March 1 – 2
March 22 – 23
Dates:
May 10 – 11
September 13 –14
November 8 – 9
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide
PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS
Dates: May 17
September 20
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide
Dates:
March 29
July 19
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide
Dates: TBC
Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm
Venue: Public Service Association, 122 Pirie Street, Adelaide
Stress, it’s something we all feel from time to time – whether it be a work deadline, never ending to-do list, negative thoughts or a disagreement you’re having with a friend.
No matter what the cause, if your body’s stress response has been triggered, then it is helpful to know a couple of techniques that you can use to calm yourself down.
Take a deep breath
Sarah Davies, Psychologist from Sarah Davies Psychology, says that breathing sets off a cascade of physical changes in your body which promote either stress or relaxation.
“Whether you like it or not, the rate and depth which you breathe at is a huge determinant of your mental state,” Sarah says. “Deep breathing, also known as belly breathing or abdominal breathing, is the process of completely filling your lungs with air and bringing that breath deeply into your diaphragm, which sits near your stomach area. This activates our parasympathetic nervous symptom, which allows our bodies to ‘rest and digest’, as opposed to the sympathetic nervous system response which is activated during our ‘fight or flight’ state. Undertaking deep breathing exercises can help shift your body from a stress response, to a relaxation response.”
Next time you are feeling stressed, give this exercise a go:
Belly Breathing
1. Sit or lie in a comfortable position.
2. Put one hand on your chest and one hand on your belly, just below your ribs.
3. Take a deep breath in through your nose, and feel the breath move down your body so that the hand on your belly rises.
4. Count the breath in through your nose for “1, 2, 3” seconds.
5. Breathe out through your mouth for “1, 2, 3” seconds.
6. With each breath out, allow any tension in your body to slip away.
7. Repeat 10-15 times.
Sarah says that establishing a daily routine of deep belly breathing can help to bring improvement in your health, vitality and confidence.
“Using deep breathing, not only when you need to calm yourself, but also in your everyday activities, can bring positive changes to your physical wellbeing as well as your emotional, mental and spiritual wellbeing,” Sarah says. “By bringing your attention back to your breath and consciously practicing breathcontrol exercises, you have the power to deliberately change your breathing style and help yourself to feel calmer in your everyday life.”
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.
Purchasing a house can be one of the most significant financial decisions you make. It is crucial that you understand your legal rights before entering into the buying process.
You should consider any conditions that you require to form part of your offer. This can include:
1 A “subject to finance” clause if you are obtaining finance for the purchase. It is important to note that these clauses may have a “best endeavours” element which can mean that you are obligated to take all reasonable steps to obtain finance (which may not be with your preferred lender). Also make sure the clause requires you to obtain an unconditional approval to be satisfied.
2. A “subject to inspection clause” which may involve obtaining a building inspection report or pest report. It is important to understand the scope/limitations of any inspection report as these reports will commonly have a limited scope and limitation of liability clauses.
If your offer is accepted, you should ensure that these conditions are reflected in the contract.
A Form 1 is a legal document which provides information about the property including the mode of title, any mortgages/encumbrances on the property, easements and zoning. However, it does not include all information relevant to the property such as encroachments and building condition. The Form 1 must be accurate and complete. You may have remedies available if the Form 1 is defective including withdrawing from the sale or other legal action.
The Form 1 provides “cooling off” details. The cooling off period expires at the completion of the second clear business day after:
1. The contract was executed (if you receive the Form 1 prior to executing the contract); or
2. The Form 1 was served on you (if you receive the Form 1 after executing the contract).
You do not need to provide any reason for cooling off.
There is no cooling off period if you purchase a property at auction.
Following the expiration of the cooling off period (and satisfaction of any conditions) the contract is binding.
Typically a deposit is paid upon the expiration of the cooling off period (or auction). The deposit amount can vary and is negotiable but is generally up to 10% of the purchase price.
If you do not settle (or are unable to settle) on the settlement date specified in the contract, you will be in breach of your contract. You should carefully consider the contractual consequences for breaching the contract or delaying settlement.
If the vendor has not defaulted and you seek to terminate the contract, the vendor may be able to retain your deposit and you may even be liable to pay further compensation based on the costs of a subsequent sale.
It is crucial to obtain legal advice if you do not wish to proceed with a contract or if there is a risk of a delayed settlement.
Before entering into a contract or before the expiration of your cooling off rights, you should consider engaging a solicitor or conveyancer to provide advice on your Form 1, contract and your rights and responsibilities.
Johnston Withers Lawyers and Conveyancers understand how overwhelming buying property can be. We offer PSA members discounts on legal and conveyancing services because of our relationship with your union. If you would like advice from one of our helpful conveyancers, please contact us on (08) 8231 1110 or get in touch online.
As a PSA member, you can take advantage of your member benefits and book a stay at one of our PSA holiday home units.
The Yorke Peninsula offers a wide variety of activities for all ages, and our Port Vincent holiday units are in the perfect location for members to experience the best of the region.
The units are located in the centre of town and easy walking distance to the Port Vincent foreshore and jetty.
Sleeping up to six people, and featuring an enclosed outdoor entertaining area, the units are great for social gatherings and family getaways.
If you are looking for things to do on the Yorke Peninsula, you won’t have far to go.
Port Vincent jetty offers fishing, while nearby Edithburgh has some great scubadiving and snorkelling opportunities.
For a longer day out, Innes National Park is approximately two hours’ drive away, and features remarkable landscapes, fantastic surfing and walking opportunities or simply enjoy time on the beach with the family.
For more information on PSA Holiday Homes, check out www.psaofsa.asn.au/psa-holidayhomes or contact the PSA at holidayhomes@psaofsa.asn.au to make a booking.
Don’t forget, as a PSA member, you are entitled to year-round discounts of 5% off Coles, Foodland, Woolworths, Drakes and Harris Scarfe gift cards. By taking advantage of your member benefits, over the course of a year your PSA membership can provide you with substantial financial savings.
Our holiday units are located in some of South Australia’s most popular tourist destinations, giving you the chance to explore more regional experiences:
Glenelg / Goolwa / Kangaroo Island / Port Lincoln / Robe / Port Vincent / Wirrina
Take advantage of great prices, from $335 for a weekly stay, or $90 per night when travelling in the same month as booking. Our units are perfect for families, couples and friends. PSA holiday home units are a great way to enjoy a brilliant South Australian holiday year-round, at unbeatable value.
Please see our website for full pricing details and booking conditions. Alternatively, give our friendly Member Benefits Team a call on 8205 3200
PSA members can also take advantage of stays at New Zealand holiday homes through our partnership with the PSA of NZ. Members can contact NZ PSA directly via holidayhomes@psa.org.nz for details once COVID-19 restrictions allow.
PSA members visit your nearest Beaurepairs to access specials and discounts for all your tyre needs.
Simply show your PSA membership card, quote the account number below, and let us take care of the rest.
We will fit your new tyres in 30 minutes or you get a free tyre
We’ll work with you to make sure your vehicles are safe, compliant, and fit for purpose.
If you are unlucky enough to get a puncture and it is repairable, we will fix it for free for the life of your tyre.
Making sure you have the right tyre pressure will help increase their life. We will check them for free.
Rotating your tyres and checking they are balanced will increase their life, we will check yours for free.
If your battery is not 100%, your car may not start first time and some of your car’s features may not operate correctly.
Our high-tech drive over readers will tell if your wheels are aligned in seconds. Out of alignment wheels causes tyres to wear prematurely.
Our high-tech drive over readers will also check the tread depth of all your tyres and indicate how much life is left in them.