PSA media release 21 November2001

Customs in need of funding boost

"The Customs Department is in desperate need of more funding”, says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff. "We have asked the government to give this urgent attention. The increased demands on Customs officers since the September 11 hi-jacking is placing an already stretched department close to breaking point", he said.

"Some Customs officers have not had a pay rise for nearly 10 years and the morale of staff is very low. Since September 11 Customs officers have had an increase in workloads as New Zealand has stepped up its border security. Yet the Department has received no extra funding to resource this. This is not a good a recipe for such a vital area", he said.

"The PSA has met Ministers to support the Customs case to provide it with the additional funding it needs to do the job. We realise money is tight but this is a matter of national importance. The country can not afford to compromise when it comes to national security," Mr Wagstaff said.

ENDS

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