This edition contains a summary of blog items published by Greg McLean in the previous calendar month. Items cover the areas of local government, energy and water, rail and public transport, international news including trade agreements, privatisation and general public sector matters.
The articles all relate to the blog of Greg McLean, ASU Assistant National Secretary
E-OZ Bulletin
This monthly publication will provide updates and the latest information within the electricity generation, electricity supply, electro technology, and gas supply industries. E-Oz Annual Conference 2015 Registrations now open E-Oz Energy Skills Australia and eProfiling Training Package Update 10559NAT Course in Working Safely with Asbestos Containing Materials The Wire Magazine Issue 19 E-Oz Media Kit Advertising with E-Oz today E-Oz Annual Conference 2015. The 2015 E-Oz Annual Conference will focus on “Your Future and the Energy Space” and how our industry can develop skills to meet the future expectations of the global technological advancement in the Energy space sectors. As a delegate to the key national conference for our industries, you will join delegates from enterprises, industry associations, and employee representative.
Tagged in: Energy Industry Skills Councils
TUED Bulletin
A new TUED working paper titled Power to the People Toward Democratic Control of Electricity Generation shows how “energy is possible, and absolutely necessary.” The paper documents how and where energy democracy is expressing itself - and argues that public renewable power can drive the energy revolution the world needs. Union leaders from different sectors have welcomed the report. UK is the 'dash for gas' fracturing the labor movement? Within days of the gas union GMB signing a charter with the gas industry to develop fracking, Britain's largest union urges its members to join an anti-fracking demonstration. And public services union leader challenges the GMB's pro-fracking logic. Argentina The Workers Central of Argentina (CTA) works with Mapuche indigenous communities to spread the word about the impacts of drilling shale.
Tagged in: Climate Change Energy Local Government
ALP push for road funding
26 June 2015 By ASU Government decision to support the ALP's proposal today to direct the revenue from the first two years of the fuel excise indexation, estimated to be $1.1 billion, towards additional Roads to Recovery funding for Local Government. This week the ALP Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, and Julie Collins, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, called upon the government to ensure the 1.1 billion in from the fuel excise index will be spent on roads. Within 24 hours the government supported the measure, this should ensure some much needed additional road funding, additional jobs and or support for jobs in local government, areas said Greg McLean, Acting National Secretary. The ASU has joined with the Australian Local Government Association in acknowledging this important step in rebuilding roads, including local council roads. Local Government, city, country and regional roads.
http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/localgovt/150626-the-asu-is-pleased-to-see-the-bipartisan-approach-by-government-in-supporting-the-alp-push-for-road-funding
Tagged in: Local Government
AFTINET
AFTINET - says no to free trade agreement with China
Email your Member of Parliament and/or send a submission after months of delay, the China-Australia FTA was released to the public, tabled in Parliament on June 17, 2015, and will be reviewed by the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties and by the Senate Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee. Parliament will only get to vote on the implementing legislation, not on the whole text of the agreement. There is already strong public opposition because there are special arrangements for Chinese companies investing more than a$150 million to import many temporary workers without testing if local workers are available. The Agreement will also allow Chinese companies to sue the Australian government in international tribunals over changes in domestic legislation, known as ISDS.
Email your MP now to tell them to vote against the China FTA legislation. Want to do more?
http://aftinet.org.au/cms/node/978
Tagged in: Trade Agreements
Advice from ALGA
(Advice from ALGA) Federation White Paper Process must remain open to new ideas 24 June, 2015 The President of the Australian Local Government Association, Mayor Troy Pickard, has called on all tiers of government and all sides of politics to keep an open mind on options canvassed during the Reform of Federation White Paper process, following the release of a Discussion Paper by Government today. "A mature conversation is needed about this potential reform and the options presented around areas of responsibility and funding and now is not the time to rule out ideas," Mayor Pickard said. "The Reform of Federation and Taxation White Paper processes are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to look at serious reform which will improve the operation of the Federation and deliver better services to Australians.”The Green Paper itself will be a chance for the community to provide input and have its say, and we need a full range.
Tagged in: Local Government State/Federal Government Services
E-OZ Bulletin
Tougher laws needed to enforce asbestos importation ban
Tuesday, 23 June 2015 Tougher laws needed to enforce asbestos importation ban The lives of Australian workers and members of the community are being placed at risk by exposure to imported products containing asbestos. Unions and asbestos support groups will meet Government and Opposition MPs in Canberra today to call for bi-partisan support for more resources and better enforcement of Australia’s ban on asbestos imports. Despite being banned, asbestos has recently been found in car parts, boilers, construction materials, trains, tugboats and children’s toys imported into Australia. In a recent case, a boiler made in South Korea was identified as containing chrysotile asbestos six years after it had been imported. Many of these products are making their way to Australia via internet sites, such as eBay, from Russia and China where there is no ban on asbestos. Unions and asbestos support groups are calling for tougher enforcement of Australia’s.
Tagged in: Energy Local Government Occupational Health & Safety Unions Water
ARA Media Release
Media release - The Australasian Railway Association (ARA)
NSW Budget set to keep rail projects on track The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) congratulates the New South Wales Government for delivering a robust rail infrastructure focused 2015-16 Budget, which delivers on many of ARA’s key policy priorities outlined prior to the election earlier this year and will help boost the efficiency and productivity of the state’s transport networks. Acting Chief Operating Officer of the ARA, Phil Allan said that through the ‘Rebuilding NSW’ fund the Baird Government should be able to deliver on critical rail projects including the much needed second harbour rail crossing. “Sydney Metro rail projects have received over $1 billion for this year, which will ensure construction continues, and ultimately provide Sydneysiders with a fully-automated rapid transit system adding benefits for commuters that have not yet been seen on any other urban rail network in the country,” said Mr Allan.
Tagged in: Public Transport
Stop the china FTA
Australian Unions Say Stop the China FTA
If high unemployment wasn’t bad enough Tony Abbott has just signed the China FTA, a trade agreement negotiated in secret that will see local workers abandoned - locked out of good jobs. Please email your MP today to tell them that you do not support the China FTA and that we need to create jobs and not destroy them by trading them away. Under the Agreement Chinese companies that invest $150 million or more in a project will be able to bring in temporary workers. There will be no requirement that jobs be offered to local workers first; and Chinese companies will be able to sue Australian Governments if they believe that an Australian law adversely impacts on their business so while Abbott is trumpeting the benefits of the deal.
Tagged in: Trade Agreements
Child Care Changes are worse off
New analysis by the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) indicates one in four families in the child care system over 270,000 families will be worse off as a direct result of the Government’s child care changes. According to the analysis, the tougher new work test and the cap on the child care subsidy price are the major reasons so many families will lose out. We already know that some children will be pushed out of the child care system altogether, while others will have their access cut in half. Unfortunately, the Government has refused to come clean about exactly who will be left worse off because of these changes. For months, Labor has been asking for details of these child care changes. Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison have blatantly refused to provide this information.
Tagged in: Child Care
PSI
Mission impossible: Development without Public Services
PSI, Geneva, 18 June 2015 - Seven years after the 2008 financial crisis, it is clear that austerity does not work. On the contrary, cutting public spending has only produced more unemployment, poverty and inequality. At the same time, bankers, financiers and corporations see their profits boom and much-needed resources for funding public services are hidden in tax havens and tax avoidance schemes. On the occasion of World Public Service Day on 23 June, Public Services International (PSI) General Secretary Rosa Pavanelli says “We all have to pay tax, so why don’t multinationals? PSI, the global trade union movement and our civil society partners are committed to ending the global tax-dodging schemes that rob countries around the world of billions of tax revenues. These very resources could finance quality public services for all, including healthcare, education, water and sanitation, which are vital for social development.”
Read online: http://www.world-psi.org/en/mission-impossible-development-without-public-services
Tagged in: Public Services International (PSI)
ASU representing local government employees for over 133 years
Celebrating 175 years of Local Government in Australia 15 June, 2015 from its humble beginnings in 1840, Local Government is today officially marking the 175th Anniversary of the establishment of Local Government in Australia at the opening of the 21st National General Assembly of Local Government in Canberra. In its 175 years, preceding even the formation of the Federation, Local Government has evolved to become a well-developed national network of around 560 councils Australia-wide providing a range of more than 150 essential services to communities, employing 190,000 people and managing more than $350 billion in assets, including local roads infrastructure valued at $165 billion. Speaking to more than 800 delegates from Local Government across Australia gathered at the Assembly, Mayor Troy Pickard, President of the Australian Local Government Association, said "Although we're dubbed the third tier of government.
Tagged in: Local Government
ALGA
Report prompts call for new investment in regions to curb rising income inequality across Australia 14 June, 2015 Reducing the inequality of income distribution within and between Australian regions through new investment will be pivotal to strengthening Australia's economy and bridging the employment fallout from the subsiding mining boom in low income regions, according to a report launched at the Regional Cooperation and Development Forum today. The report, State of the Regions, Inequality between and within regions prepared by National Economics for the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), confirmed trends presented in recent OECD and IMF research papers showing the link between income inequality at a regional level and economic growth on a national level. Dr Peter Brain, leading economist and co-author of the report, said "The report identifies a need for policies and investments to be implemented on a region-by-region basis to decrease the existing inequality across Australian regions.
Tagged in: Local Government State/Federal Government Services
TAX White Paper Submission
ASU lodges tax white paper submission
The ASU has lodged a submission with the Federal Government inquiry into federal taxation, including what Australians and businesses pay, as well as how the tax is shared around to benefit Australian citizens. This is an important area for the ASU to speak up for members and the community on both, as users of government services, as well as many of our industries depend on financial support from government, social and community services and local government. "With some of the points raised in the Government reasoning including multinational trade, increasing global competition for investment, the internet, the digital economy as well as the governments views on "fairness". Plus its recent cuts in funding from community services, local government and the public services many ASU members need, along with the ASU record on fighting for issues i.e. paid parental leave.
http://www.asu.asn.au/news/categories/general/150612-asu-lodges-tax-white-paper-submission
Tagged in: Human Rights Local Government Quality Public Services State/Federal Government Services Superannuation & Pensions
The Launch of Energy Space
Bob Taylor, CEO “The launch of Energy Space is a really exciting evolution and I have no doubt this new division will rapidly establish itself as an invaluable provider of resources for the energy sector.” The E-Oz annual conference in Perth saw the birth of the new online resource toolkit for the Energy sector, called Energy Space. The not-for-profit division of E-Oz Energy Skills Australia will draw on E-Oz’s unrivalled experience and expertise in the energy sector to provide products including: Learning and Assessment Portal designed for RTOs delivering the electrical apprenticeship, the Learning and Assessment Portal will provide learning resources, unit assessments and a reporting function. It will also offer add-on options, including customised professional development and IT Services. Readiness Assessment (RA) an online tool specifically designed to test a candidate’s readiness to commence an electrical assessment.
Tagged in: Energy Industry Skills Councils
E-OZ Bulletin
“Switching Gears: Reforming negative gearing to solve our housing affordability crisis'.
The McKell institute has released our ground-breaking report 'Switching Gears Reforming negative gearing to solve our housing affordability crisis'. Report author Professor Richard Holden argues that reform of negative gearing is urgently needed for both social and economic reasons. This reform would increase the supply of housing stock; improve housing affordability; ensure a smooth transition for investors; save the Federal Budget money; and give a boost to the construction sector.
P.S we'd love you to join the debate on our Facebook page.
Tagged in: Child Care Energy Local Government State/Federal Government Services Water
PSI May & June 2015 News
International trade union news from PSI May/June 2015
Let us be bold in our ambitions and make the concrete difference the world is waiting for. It is time that the 99% of the world population, we all representing the real world of labour, have our voices heard and that the richest 1% pays its fair share. Massive TISA leak highlights "madness of secrecy" The largest ever leak of negotiating documents from the controversial Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) highlights the madness of secrecy and provides no comfort for users of public services. More Public anger will grow if G20 leaders fail on tax.
Tagged in: Quality Public Services Unions
Government News publication around privatization
Just to let you know of the above link article is in this week’s Government News publication around privatization via a shared services model, the article interesting in a few parts including The quote from a current elected Councillor in Ipswich that he won’t be voting for the renewal of the contract in 2007, with some quotes such as “I’m not happy with them. Anecdotally, I’ve heard that a lot of the staff aren’t happy. A couple of staff has come to me personally, “I’ve been told that it has saved us millions but, gee, I don’t see it.” “You have to ask yourself if council is in the business of customer service, why can’t we do it ourselves? I think that’s what we should be all about.”
Ambitious QLD council outsourcer under fire from Services Union http://www.governmentnews.com.au/2015/06/ambitious-qld-council-outsourcer-under-fire-from-services-union/
Tagged in: Local Government Privatisation
Advice from IBSA
Music and Screen & Media training package feedback requested Last chance to have your say the final draft of the revised suite of qualifications, units and skill sets from CUS09 Music Training Package and CUF07 Screen and Media Training Package are on the Feedback Hub and are available for viewing and comment until Monday 22 June 2015. (For help using the Feedback Hub visit the IBSA Feedback Hub help page). This is the last opportunity for stakeholders to provide feedback before the materials move to the Quality Assurance Phase. Qualifications, units and skill sets have been updated to meet the Standards for Training Packages and reviewed for currency and relevance. Duplication has been addressed and qualification packaging rules have been clarified. All Music and Screen and Media components will be moved to the updated CUA Creative Arts and Culture Training Package. For more information about the Screen and Media changes visit the CUF07 Screen.
Tagged in: Industry Skills Councils Local Government
OECD Reviews
OECD Reviews on Local Job Creation Employment and Skills Strategies in Sweden this report delivers evidence-based and practical recommendations on how to better support employment and economic development in Sweden. Read and Share Download (for institutions with a subscription to OECD library) buy the PDF file or the Book+PDF.
Tagged in: Industry Skills Councils Unions
CPSISC
CPSISC (construction skills council) has received formal advice from the Department of Education and Training that the CPC Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package (Version 1) containing the newly developed Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying, Graduate Diploma of Building Surveying and the Building Surveying Skill Set, was endorsed on Wednesday 3rd June 2015. CPSISC is now in the process of approving these recently endorsed qualifications to be released and published on the Training.gov.au website.
Tagged in: Industry Skills Councils
Track Safe Bulletin June 2015
Track safe latest bulletin June 2015
TrackSAFE is a not-for-profit, rail industry initiative endeavouring to reduce incidents on the rail network. In doing so the aim is to minimise trauma caused to rail employees resulting from witnessing near collisions, injuries, and fatalities whilst simply doing their jobs. In this Edition Rail Safety Week Rail R U OK? Day Research into rail suicide on the Australian network National Level Crossing Safety Committee Australasian Rail Industry Awards Member profile Bombardier Subscribe Our Members Share Tweet Forward +1 RAIL SAFETY WEEK – SAVE THE DATE! 10-16 August 2015. The Rail Safety Week Committee is eagerly planning for the tenth year of Rail Safety Week and is supportive of a joint TrackSAFE/ARA national launch which will premiere a new rail safety video that emphasises the theme that rail.
Tagged in: Occupational Health & Safety Public Transport
ALGA Submission
ALGA submission to Taxation Issues Paper highlights importance of tax revenue in Local Government
ALGA has raised the importance of taxation revenue at the local and regional level for the provision of essential Local Government services and infrastructure in its submission this week to the Taxation Issues Paper. The submission asserted the view that an analysis of revenue, including taxation and Local Government's taxation revenue power, cannot be undertaken in isolation from the role of, and allocation of public functions to, Local Government. ALGA flagged further critical issues including the constraints and restrictions that impinge upon local government’s ability to fully exploit its taxation base (ability to pay, capping, concessions, exemptions and the potential for state crowding out) the critical role of intergovernmental grants from the Commonwealth and the states to the sector.
Tagged in: Local Government State/Federal Government Services
Service Skills Bulletin
Online Retailing starts this month, The New Retail Series - a series of innovative training pilots focusing on contemporary skills requirements got underway in February 2015. Now the second training pilot, Series 2: Online Retailing, is about to start. Series 2 participants will engage with online e-learning modules to develop their skills across two key areas; social media in retail and content development for online retailing platforms. Read more for upcoming Events Hair Expo Australia 6-8 June, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Read More Inaugural Meeting for the Nora Online Retail Standard 11 June, Ebay, Level 19, 1 York Street, Sydney.
Tagged in: Industry Skills Councils Local Government
Australian Unions – Member Benefits Update
Welcome to the June edition of your Member Benefits Update! There's an ACTU Congress wrap up, some great tips on playing your (credit) cards right, a fantastic offer on some premium bubbles from Cracka Wines, news about our exciting new smartphone app, great prizes to win and loads more! Photo: L-R ACTU Secretary Dave Oliver, ACTU President Ged Kearney, ACTU Assistant Secretaries Michael Borowick and Scott Connolly at the recent ACTU Congress in Melbourne. ACTU Congress resolves to Build A Better Future. Australian unions concluded the ACTU Congress 2015 invigorated by the launch of a new 'Build A Better Future' campaign to protect workers’ rights and living standards. About 1000 union delegates from around the country met at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium from 26-28 May to debate and vote on the policies that will shape the union movements.
Tagged in: Unions
ITF - TISA
Secret trade pact set to rob from the poor and give to global transport firms Classified documents published today by Wikileaks on the Trade in Services Agreement (TISA) foresee consolidated power for big transport industry players and threaten the public interest, jobs and a voice for workers, says the International Transport Workers’ Federation. ITF president Paddy Crumlin said “This text would supercharge the most powerful companies in the transport industry, giving them preferential treatment. What’s missing from this equation is any value at all for workers and citizens. It creates serious barriers for any state wanting to invest in, manage and operate its national infrastructure or crucially to defend decent work and decent terms and conditions across transport.” The ITF is concerned that in the three areas covered - maritime transport, air transport and express delivery.
The documents are available here: https://wikileaks.org/tisa/
Tagged in: Human Rights Trade Agreements Unions
International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD)
‘Take your time, don’t risk your life!’ at level crossings
The TrackSAFE Foundation is proudly supporting today’s seventh annual International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) and is encouraging all Australians to join the rest of the world in being safe and aware when around railway lines and level crossings. TrackSAFE General Manager, Naomi Frauenfelder said that with incidents at level crossings still a regular occurrence in Australia, the theme for this year’s ILCAD ‘Take your time, don’t risk your life!’ was an important message. “Australia's rail network is the sixth largest in the world, with 44,000km of track and 23,500 level crossings across the network. There are sadly around 150 collisions between pedestrians or vehicles with trains at level crossings resulting in death or serious injury every year,” said Ms Frauenfelder. “Level crossing incidents are avoidable if people simply take their time and obey the warning signs and signals in place for their own safety.
Tagged in: Public Transport
Rate Capping
It’s not just the Services at risk
It’s not just the Services at risk, but rate capping results in a debt being passed to state and federal governments who ultimately have to pay, thought government taxes, but at least without rate capping local communities have say in where the money goes, whereas with federal taxes the monies cold and do go to other communities or to the business community through tax breaks etc.
Council rate cap will result in cuts to services, union’s claim SCHOOL crossing supervisors, child immunisation jabs or even public library hours could be in danger once council rates are capped, unions and local.
Tagged in: Local Government State/Federal Government Services