UnionsWA has commented on the release of the Mid-Year Financial Projections for 2019-20. The projections indicate improved finances bringing the budget back to a surplus of $2.6 billion. UnionsWA encourages the government to redirect spending to investing in the public sector.

Meredith Hammat, Secretary, UnionsWA said:

“The WA Government projections indicate improved finances sooner than expected.

“Today’s financial projections present an opportunity for the WA Government to redirect finances to focus on better investment in the public service for the benefit of all Western Australians.

“The public sector workforce has borne the brunt of the budget repair for far too long. Staffing cuts have meant that those remaining employees carry increasing workloads to ensure quality services.

“At the same time the Government Wages Policy has meant most of our public sector workforce have experienced minimal wage growth for a number of years.

“An additional $12.2 million to increase the operational capacity of Worksafe is welcomed.  This announcement more than reverses the cuts to WorkSafe that the previous Liberal Government implemented.

“Unions across Western Australia have long advocated for increased capacity to Worksafe.

“The reversal of cut-backs to work safety inspectors and their legal supports is essential to improve the Occupational Health and Safety standards for Western Australians.

“Those cut backs meant that over recent years far fewer workplaces have been inspected to prevent injury or fatality.”