With less than three weeks to go before voting begins, Australians are looking carefully at what on the major policial parties are offering.
We have put together a quick chart that compares the public sector policies of the parties most likely to form Government. We have also sought short statements from the Liberal Party, the ALP and the Greens outling their main aims in relation to the issues that matter to CPSU members.
In their own words
Prime Minister, Julia Gillard (ALP)
"A strong and responsible Government improving and protecting the essential public services and basic rights our people depend on, including so importantly, their rights at work." (Canberra Press Conference, 24 June 2010).
Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott (Liberal Party)
"We are going to trim the public service by 12,000." (CEDA conference, 22 June) "Not since the era of Fightback under John Hewson has an opposition been prepared to nominate hard cuts to, for instance, public servant numbers."
(Macquarie Radio, 29 June 2010).
At a glance
Key CPSU Issues
|
Coalition position
|
Labor position
|
| APS Staffing Levels |
12,000 job cuts over 2 years
more job losses expected as a result of $45.8b ‘savings’ and program cuts |
no change to overall APS employment |
| Moran Review / APS Reform Blueprint |
discontinue Blueprint, no further details |
support Blueprint plan to build strong APS with a unified workforce |
| Workplace Relations |
* return to WorkChoices under new name
* individual contracts
* fewer rights for members and delegates |
* support role of unions and delegates
* support streamlining of APS bargaining
* acknowledge the need to fix APS pay gaps |
| Medibank Private |
sell off |
keep in public ownership |
| Superannuation |
no increase in employer contribution |
increase employer contribution: 9% to 12% |
| Journey Cover |
oppose reintroduction of recess and journey cover |
commitment to reinstate recess coverage
no commitment on journey cover |
Statements from major parties
To ensure all CPSU members in the public sector can make an informed choice in the 2010 Federal Election, we invited the major parties to provide a brief statement outlining their public sector policies.
Liberal Party
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ALP
|
Greens
|
NO STATEMENT PROVIDED
Despite several emails and phone calls from the CPSU to the Liberal Party, no statement has been provided.
Below is our email invitating the Liberal Party to provide a statement.
From: Kristin van Barneveld (CPSU)
Sent: Friday, 30 July 2010 4:03 PM
To: 'reception@chq.liberal.org.au'
Subject: Liberal Position statement
Dear Miranda
As mentioned, Karen Atherton, CPSU National Political Coordinator called your office on Wednesday this week (28/07) asking if the Liberal Party could provide 200 words on their position relating to the Public Service.
Karen explained that this statement would be put on our website along with a statement from the other 2 major parties.
We have since received a statement from the Greens and the ALP and these are on our website. We would love to be able to provide our members with a statement from the Liberal Party as well.
Can you please provide one as soon as possible?
Thank you.
Kristin van Barneveld
CPSU Deputy Secretary |
Federal Labor recognises the enormous efforts of the Australian Public Service and the critical role public servants play in moving Australia forward.
As technology improves access to government, including the public service and elected representatives, there are increasing demands for greater accountability.
Our challenge is to ensure the long-term planning is in place to respond to those demands and develop our workforce.
A Gillard Labor Government is committed to ensuring that the APS is a model employer when it comes to employment conditions, opportunities for advancement and lifelong learning.
We know there is more work to be done to reform the federal public sector, including its workplace relations.
There are a number of initiatives already underway to look at these issues, including the Advisory Group on Reform of Australian Government Administration. The Advisory Group's draft blueprint for reform has been delivered to Government.
The task of developing a framework for ongoing reform and renewal of the APS is aligned with our commitment to ensure the principles of fair work are reflected in its workplace relations arrangements.
I have said in the past that Federal Labor is interested in streamlining current APS bargaining arrangements.
If elected, we would consider this in conjunction with the broader public service reform agenda and would work closely with the CPSU and other public sector unions to achieve the ultimate goal of a more efficient and dynamic public sector.
A Gillard Labor Government has no agenda or plan to cut overall public service numbers.
In contrast, the Coalition's ill-considered plan to cut 12,000 staff and $3.8 billion from the public service would jeopardise services and threaten APS reform.
Julia Gillard
Prime Minister
More information is available at http://www.labor.org.au/
|
The Australian Greens value public servants and the work they do.
We are committed to maintaining APS staffing levels and oppose the Coalition's proposed cutbacks.
We understand that job cutbacks will lead to a decrease in the quality of services for the public and that demand for well-informed public policy doesn't reduce if jobs are cut - it increases the workload for existing public servants.
The Greens consistently and vigorously opposed Work Choices and we were pleased to have played our part in ensuring the passage of the Fair Work legislation.
We secured important improvements to the Fair Work Bill but we know there is more to do to fully restore the rights of workers and unions, in particular strengthening the rights of delegates.
We remain committed to improving the Fair Work Act in next parliament.
We are already on the record supporting the increase in the compulsory superannuation contribution to 12% and to index Commonwealth superannuation pensions to wages rather than CPI.
We support APS-wide bargaining and implementing the Moran recommendations in consultation with the union.
The Greens opposed the removal of journey cover by the last government and support its reinstatement.
A strong Green presence in the Senate is necessary for progressive workplace laws and other policies to become a reality.
Our full set of policies, including our positions on education, health, aged care, refugees, social services, climate change and the environment can be found at http://www.greens.org.au/
Senator Rachael Siewert
Greens IR and APS spokesperson
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Vote for essential public services
As a CPSU member, you understand how important the public sector is. Every day, you and your workmates care for families, secure our borders, develop public policy and provide valuable advice to the Federal Government. But with continuing uncertainty about the global economy, Australia needs a strong and stable public sector. The outcome of this election will have a profound effect on the shape, size and direction of the Australian Public Service. Please consider your vote carefully.
CPSU action
Over the coming weeks, CPSU Executive and delegates will continue to meet with local MPs and candidates to explain our view on a range of issues, including the need for:
* proper funding for public services and jobs including ABC, SBS and CSIRO
* genuine negotiations on pay and conditions
* restoration of fair workers’ compensation rights
* access and training for workplace delegates.
What you can do
* Share this information with workmates, family and friends.
* Learn more about what parties are proposing for the public sector here.
* Contact us to get involved in local activities at – rights@cpsu.org.au or call 1300 137 636
Nadine Flood is the National Secretary of the CPSU
This post was originally published on the Community and Public Sector Union's website. The original piece can be found here.
R@W News is a forum for news, analysis and commentary about rights at work and related issues. The opinions presented in R@W News are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent policies or views of the ACTU.