Public Service Association of NSW

05/11/2026

𝐒𝐔𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐇𝐆𝐎𝐖

Community Corrections is challenging, complex and often rewarding work. Our members play an important role in supervising offenders, supporting rehabilitation and helping keep the community safe.

For PSA members working in Lithgow, the job has become even more difficult because of the major road closure in the Blue Mountains, which is not expected to reopen until June 2027.

The closure has affected the entire Lithgow community, adding to travel times, increasing congestion and placing further pressure on already deteriorating roads.

For Community Corrections staff, who regularly travel as part of their work, these disruptions create additional challenges in an already demanding job.

The PSA acknowledges the dedication and professionalism of our Lithgow members, who continue to deliver an essential public service despite these difficulties.

Our members deserve safe working conditions, adequate resources and recognition for the important work they do.

PHOTO: Michael and Tren with DC Delegate Sonya Mantle.

04/11/2026

This was first posted on 6 March 2026. There are now 732,000 people unemployed.

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐁𝐀 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝟕𝟎𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐄𝐎𝐏𝐋𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐋𝐄?

If you have just the right amount of workers who are unemployed, you can keep inflation in check - or at least that's the theory.

What economists and especially central bankers like our Reserve Bank of Australia are loath to admit, however, is that they deliberately attempt to engineer a situation where a certain percentage of workers are out of a job.

It's a concept worth remembering when the tabloids go on their regular rampage against "dole bludgers" and welfare cheats.

The theory goes that if you have just the right amount of workers on the unemployment scrap heap, you can keep inflation in check. The problem is that no-one knows exactly what the magic unemployment rate is.

04/11/2026

$𝟒𝟓𝟑 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐃 𝐖𝐀𝐆𝐄𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐑𝐒

More than 181,000 Australian workers have received $453 million in back-payments after investigations by the Fair Work Ombudsman.

The extraordinary figure, revealed in the workplace watchdog's latest annual report, represents a 27 per cent increase on the previous year.

Over the past six years, almost $2.5 billion in unpaid wages and entitlements has been recovered for Australian workers.

The latest figures reveal:

• Large corporations repaid $217 million to more than 110,000 workers.
• The Fair Work Ombudsman received a record 31,596 anonymous reports of suspected workplace breaches.
• More than $33 million was recovered for over 17,000 workers through compliance notices.
• The regulator commenced 60 court cases and secured $2.3 million in penalties.

These figures should concern every Australian worker.

Wage underpayments are not confined to small businesses or particular industries. Some of Australia's largest employers have failed to pay their staff correctly, sometimes over many years.

This is why unions matter.

Unions help workers understand their awards and agreements, challenge incorrect payments and hold employers accountable.

Union membership means having experienced industrial officers, organisers and workplace delegates available to help when pay, conditions or entitlements are in dispute.

Workers should not have to discover years later that they have been paid less than they were legally entitled to receive.

Every worker deserves to be paid correctly, every time.

Being a union member means you don't have to challenge your employer alone.

Fair Work Ombudsman, 2025–26 Annual Report.
https://www.fairwork.gov.au/newsroom/media-releases/2026-media-releases/october-2026/20261029-annual-report-2025-26-media-release

04/11/2026

𝐀𝐈 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐒𝐖 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑

Public servants, government leaders, academics, technology experts, business representatives, union leaders and people from a wide range of professional backgrounds are meeting in Sydney this week for The Mandarin's Future Ready Public Service conference.

Artificial intelligence, workforce reform, government spending and the future delivery of public services are among the major topics being discussed.

These issues matter to PSA and CPSU NSW members across the state.

AI has the potential to improve public services, reduce administrative workloads and give public sector workers more time to focus on the people and communities they serve.

But its introduction raises important questions about job security, staffing levels, training, privacy and accountability.

The PSA and CPSU NSW support technological improvements that benefit workers and the community. Any changes to jobs and working conditions must involve genuine consultation with employees and their unions.

AI should be used to strengthen public services, not simply as a justification for cutting jobs, reducing costs or outsourcing government responsibilities.

The experience and expertise of public sector workers must remain central to decisions about the future of public services.

PHOTO: Troy Wright, PSA Assistant General Secretary representing PSA CPSU NSW members.

04/11/2026

𝐁𝐀𝐍𝐊𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐖𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒

Community Corrections staff play an important role in keeping the community safe, supervising offenders and supporting their rehabilitation.

The work can be challenging, and staff need strong workplace protections, safe working conditions and the support of their union.

Two Bankstown Community Corrections Officers joined the PSA during a recent visit. Both recognised the importance of union representation and support, particularly given the challenges and risks involved in their work.

Workplace visits give members the opportunity to raise concerns, seek advice and discuss the issues affecting their working lives.

Welcome to our two new members, and thank you to our Bankstown delegate for helping build a stronger union in the workplace.

03/11/2026

𝐏𝐒𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐚𝐩 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐧-𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐒𝐖.

“I work at Aboriginal Affairs NSW on closing the gaps, specifically Priority Reform Two,” he said.

“Priority Reform Two is about strengthening the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.”

John is part of a team that works to improve policies and procedures in Aboriginal-run organisations to ensure they continue to provide the best quality services. The NSW Government has found that these services are better for Aboriginal people, achieve better results, employ more Aboriginal people and are often preferred over mainstream services.

“I love my job,” he said. “I love where I work, I love the people. I love the opportunity to contribute to a really important piece of work. I love the opportunity to work on issues that Aboriginal people in NSW think are important.”

John is a true Champion of the State.

03/11/2026

𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐈𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊 𝐈𝐍 𝐈𝐍𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍?

According to the opposition, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is spending taxpayers' money recklessly, driving up prices and leaving the Reserve Bank with little choice but to raise interest rates.

The accusation has been repeated so often that it is increasingly accepted as fact.

It's a simple, politically effective argument and it appeals to households struggling with rising living costs and higher mortgage repayments.

There's just one problem. The argument is deeply misleading.

The coalition has been blaming federal government spending for rising inflation and another impending rate rise for Melbourne Cup Day, but the figures tell a different story.

03/11/2026

PSA member Marlene Millar is the School Learning Support Officer (SLSO) at Quandialla Public School, a very small public school that serves a small rural community in the Central West of NSW.

Quandialla is home to just 163 people. Its public school, which has served the community for more than 110 years, is an essential part of the town's future.

Marlene has been working at the school for 26 years and has seen the decline in the number of students, down from 100 in 2000 to just 8 students in 2026.

The PSA acknowledges our members at Quandialla Public School and all other small regional schools. You ensure students receive the support they need.

Small schools matter. So do the dedicated staff who keep them going.

02/11/2026

𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭?

The British and French Governments are encouraging households to stockpile essential supplies in case of emergencies. Australians are encouraged to do the same.

Bushfires, floods, severe storms, power failures and disruptions to essential services can leave households without basic necessities, sometimes for days.

NSW Health recommends keeping emergency supplies at home, including enough food, water and other essentials to last up to 14 days.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝:

• 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫: At least three litres per person per day.
• 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝: Tinned vegetables, fish, beans, soups, pasta, rice, cereals, crackers and other non-perishable foods.
• 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Essential prescription medicines and a first-aid kit.
• 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Torches, spare batteries and a battery-powered radio.
• 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Charged power banks and phone chargers.
• 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐡: Small notes in case ATMs and electronic payments stop working.
• 𝐇𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐞: Toilet paper, soap, hand sanitiser and sanitary products.
• 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Copies of identification, insurance details and emergency contact numbers.
• 𝐎𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐬: Baby supplies, pet food, blankets and a manual can opener.

Build up your supplies gradually, check expiry dates and replace items as you use them.

Public services, including the NSW SES, NSW Rural Fire Service, emergency services and health workers, play a critical role when disasters strike. But every household can take practical steps to prepare.

For official government advice and detailed checklists:

NSW Health emergency pantry list:
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/emergency_preparedness/planning/Pages/emergency-pantry-list.aspx

NSW SES emergency kit:
https://www.ses.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/emergency-kit

NSW Government emergency survival kit:
https://www.nsw.gov.au/emergency/prepare/emergency-survival-kit

A little preparation now can make a big difference if essential services are disrupted.

01/11/2026

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝, 𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝, 𝐨𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞.

Pink slips are documentation relating to annual roadworthiness safety inspections for cars in NSW that are more than five years old. Blue slips relate to a more intensive check for when a car has been unregistered or is being re-registered from another state.

Of 570 audits since January, Transport for NSW inspectors cancelled 127 operators' licences, suspended 84, and issued 223 formal warnings.

Vehicle inspectors in NSW by the hundreds have been penalised for issuing pink and blue slips without inspecting vehicles.