DPI job cuts to cost Orange millions

Date: 30 August 2011

The 'Lost DPI dollars' campaign will tomorrow be launched by the Public Service Association, fighting against job cuts at the Department of Primary Industries in regional centres, including Orange.

Up to $12.5 million will be slashed from the localeconomy if the NSW Government follows through on plans to cut 25 per cent of jobs from the DPI.

The Public Service Association is calling on Orange MP Andrew Gee to take the fight for regional jobs to the highest levels of government.

"National Party MPs like Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner and Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinsonhave campaigned for DPI jobs in the past," said PSA Assistant General Secretary Shane O'Brien. '

"Now, it looks like they're just going to stand by and let the Liberals cut a full quarter of DPI jobs. That's 113 jobs in Orange - worth between $8 million and $12.5 million to the local economy.

"The Lost DPI dollar campaign aims to make local businesses aware the effects the job cuts will have on the local economy, and their business.

"If these jobs are cut, the Coalition Government will be responsible for more job cuts in a single budget that the former Labor Government was in eight years.

"The effect of this change on local families would be disastrous, and National Party backbenchers like the local member for Orange must step up and demand a fair go for country jobs and industries.

"Anything less, and Mr Gee risks loosing his supporters looking to independent alternatives next time they vote," said Mr O'Brien.

"Every job cut from Orange not only means less service for local agriculture, it also means money taken directly out of the tills of local businesses."

About 1200 job cuts from the DPI alone are expected to be announced in the September 6 state budget, with other state government departments also set to experience major job cuts.

For further information

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

LaborNET is proudly created, designed and programmed
by Social Change Online for the Labor Council of NSW
[Credits] [Site Matters]