Job cuts betray regional communities

Date: 19 August 2011

The first confirmed job cuts in the Department of Primary Industries are just the beginning of department-wide job cuts in next month's budget that will hit regional industries and communities hard, the Public Service Association said today.

Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson, a National Party MP, should be fighting for jobs that support regional industries not cutting them, said PSA Assistant Secretary Shane O'Brien.

Over a third of the scientists and technical officers in DPI's Forests research unit were told yesterday their jobs were gone.

"If these research cuts are repeated across Agriculture, Aquaculture and Horticulture, it will be a massive loss of research, knowledge and support for our farming and fishing industries," said PSA Assistant Secretary Shane O'Brien.

In addition to the research cuts, the PSA is expecting in the vicinity of 1,200 job cuts across DPI representing about 25% of the workforce.

"These jobs are overwhelmingly in regional areas. Cutting them will not only hit service to farmers, businesses and landholders, but will take millions in wages out of local economies, where there are few other employment options."

The PSA has confirmed the decision to cut the research jobs was personally approved by Minister Hodgkinson.

"In approving these job cuts Katrina Hodginkson is betraying the people who put their faith in the National Party to represent them," said Mr O'Brien.

"The Nationals campaigned alongside us for the eight years when Ian Macdonald was Primary Industries Minister against every cut and every job that was taken out of country areas and they were right to do that.

"They've now got to make a decision about whether they want to be true to what they claim to be and stand up for country people, or sit back and let the Sydney North Shore Liberals make decisions that will cripple country people.

"National Party backbenchers must challenge the Minister and demand a fair go for country jobs and industries or risk their supporters looking to independent alternatives next time they vote."

For further information

Contact:	Shane O'Brien, Assistant General Secretary
Union:	Public Service Association of NSW
Phone:	02 9220 0911
Contact Mobile:	0418 227 977
WWW:	http://www.psa.labor.net.au/

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