Budget positive for working people

The PSA welcomes the 2004 Budget, describing it as an important step in rebuilding the state following the ravages of the 1990s, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said today.

“The budget addresses the needs of working people and recognises that the state has an important role in alleviating the worst effects of the market.

“We support the initiatives around strengthening the public service. They are an important part of this package because it is the public service that will deliver the benefits of the budget to citizens.”

Richard Wagstaff said support for low to middle income families with children benefits everybody.

“PSA members understand the need to address the needs of working families who are struggling financially. We have members on both sides of the counter. Many work in jobs where they assist these families - a significant proportion of whom will find it easier to make ends meet under the Future Directions Plan.”

Richard Wagstaff said he was pleased the government had increased spending in mental health as the PSA was committed to the achievement of the Blueprint for Mental Health.

”The increase in spending will help this. Our concern has long been about the provision of acute beds and ensuring that core services are working effectively. The new expenditure will need to address the crisis that exists in many of our acute and sub acute services.”

As well, increased funding into the science and research sector, along with changes to the science funding system announced earlier in the year, will create a more stable funding base for medium and longer term science projects.

Richard Wagstaff said the PSA also welcomed the announcement of funds to establish a Partnership Resource Centre.

“We see this initiative as an important part of the commitment of the government to supporting the broadening and deepening of the Partnership for Quality Agreement with the PSA in the core public service and the wider state sector,”

“Partnership is an innovative way of delivering improvements in quality jobs to public service workers and quality public services to citizens.”

The Centre will also have a role in assisting partnership initiatives in the wider economy, which is especially welcome.

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