News Flash

INTEGRITY OF PSA

Since its inception 120 years ago, the Public Service Association has jealously guarded its reputation as a democratic organisation that represents its members and their interest with honesty and integrity.  The PSA is an organisation whose elected officials are required to act with propriety in the best interests of members.

Unfortunately, during the recent PSA/CPSU Council elections four candidates seeking election as Councillors in the Administrative Stream electorate published and distributed material that was factually incorrect and harmful to the reputation of the Association, and particular elected officials.

As the PSA/CPSU Council elections are now over, it is time to put the record straight and correct the false and misleading statements that were made during the election campaign.

Accordingly, the factual responses to each of the more serious statements are provided below to dispel any concerns that members may have about the honesty and integrity of the Association and its elected officials.

Statement:  “Jan McMahon wasted almost a million dollars of your money on our last arbitration case...  We the members were never asked what we thought.”

Fact:  The PSA Council (elected by the members) was fully consulted about and formally approved the conduct of the arbitration case following the breakdown of EB negotiations with the Government and referral of the matter to arbitration by the Government.  Additionally, members were consulted throughout the case at numerous membership and Worksite Representative meetings and regular issues of PSA Briefs and articles in the Review.  The combined legal and expert witness/academic costs associated with the case, that were aimed at securing the best possible outcome for PSA members was $280,000.

Statement:    “Jan McMahon wasted ... $250,000 ... supporting Labor.”

Fact:        In response to a policy by the Liberal Opposition during the State election campaign to cut 4,000 public sector jobs if they were elected, the PSA Council approved a media campaign to vigorously oppose the Opposition's proposal and authorised the expenditure of $250,000 on the campaign.  The PSA campaign promoted the value of the work of PSA members and successfully created an environment during the election campaign that made it difficult for any Government to make large cuts to public sector jobs following the election.

Statement:    “PSA President, Lindsay Oxlad ... returned from putting in the hard yards for members in Surfers Paradise.”

Fact:        The President was on holidays in Brisbane with his wife visiting his youngest daughter and grand daughter.  He travelled there at his own expense.  The implication that the President was on a 'junket' in Surfers Paradise at members' expense is incorrect and offensive.

Statement:    “You will see organisers regularly, not just before union election time.”

Fact:        PSA Industrial staff regularly visit worksites, and the frequency of their visits does not change at election time.  Priorities are determined by industrial needs not election cycles.

Statement:    “Union money to be spent on building the union, not wasted on endless research and boosting Jan McMahon's media profile.”

Fact:        PSA Council approves the Association's Strategic Plan and annual budget which includes provision for funding research that is used to prepare submissions to Government on matters of direct value to members (e.g. State Budget submission, submissions on public sector reform proposals, child protection submissions etc.). PSA is the only organisation that commissions research to defend the role of the whole public sector at the State and Federal level and as such has a reputation for producing high quality input to various inquiries and Government policy development.

Under the PSM Act, PSA members are prohibited from making public comment in respect to their work, so it is necessary for the PSA to represent their views and speak on their behalf.  The General Secretary is required to play a key role in raising the profile of the public sector, promoting the work of the public sector workers and its importance to the community using all forms of media as well as maximizing any benefit members may receive from media coverage of their issues.

While this PSA Brief has not dealt with all of the false and misleading statements made, it provides a response to the more serious ones.

The PSA is a non party political, democratic organisation, that supports and encourages healthy debate and electoral processes that are fair and honest as a central part of its internal governance processes. The PSA does not, however, support electoral processes that are based on false, misleading or defamatory statements by candidates masquerading as facts.