Local Government

We all know that we are in an unprecedented, difficult time. But it is not the time for any local government worker to be stood down or let go. Local government workers form an essential part of community support and deliver a wide range of essential services. You are at…

Local government workers have written to the Prime Minister through their union – the Australian Services Union – to ask for urgent assistance to stem the loss of Council jobs after the Federal Government said Councils would not qualify for the JobKeeper payments. The union’s National Secretary Robert Potter said…

Remunicipalisation. It’s a big word for a big job, picking-up the pieces from numerous failed attempts to privatise public services originally supplied by local governments. It is the name of the process the City of Paris went through in bringing their water service back in house seven years ago. Long…

New data from the McKell Institute released today shows workers in 45 regional communities will lose $667 million each year from penalty rates cuts, with $289 million of this to leave these electorates altogether to line the pockets of corporations in the cities and overseas. The research shows that more…

Tonight the Federal Government handed down a budget that entrenches inequality at the same time as rewarding corporations. The message from Canberra is clear: Don’t be poor. Don’t be unemployed. Don’t be vulnerable. This Budget attacks those in our community who need the most support. The proposed changes to welfare…

The ASU has been fighting for local government financial sustainability, a fight that will not only result in job security for council workers but also quality of services for all in our communities. As part of our campaign, the ASU commissioned two reports which have been released this week. The…

The 2016 federal election is about priorities. Whether $50 billion of taxpayers’ money is best used on corporate tax cuts or on health, education and infrastructure investment. In this report we demystify the issues for our members and supporters so you can be well-informed at the ballot box. The ASU…

Despite being the reason for calling a double dissolution election, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) has been barely mentioned by the Liberal Government during the protracted election campaign, however the Union for local government, energy and water sector workers needs to alert the community that chaos may follow…

The ACTU and ASU welcome the Labor Party’s commitment to the proper and timely funding for early childhood education and for early childhood educators in this country. Affordable and accessible early childhood education and care helps ensure that all children get the best start in life. This package recognises the…

This is a critical year when local communities are experiencing the negative impacts of significant budget constraint imposed by all levels of government. Nevertheless it is a time when investment in services and infrastructure is of utmost importance to the resilience of local communities. For this reason the ASU is…