State Budget must prioritise public sector investment

PSA General Secretary Nev Kitchin has told the media that tomorrow’s State Budget provides the perfect opportunity for the state government to kickstart our economic recovery through strong public sector investment.

It's incumbent on the state government to deliver a state budget that is good for all South Australians, rather than outsourcing the responsibility for our economic recovery and future to the private sector.

The PSA has repeatedly impressed upon the Treasurer the need for proper funding across the public sector – departments need to be resourced adequately so they can provide the services the community needs in a safe and efficient manner.

Speaking to the media today, Nev Kitchin said "nobody wants more outsourcing of current public services and new or adapted services the public sector could deliver more cheaply and effectively.” 

“Handouts to the private sector do not guarantee increased employment in the long term, and long-term jobs are the ultimate driver of economic recovery.”

“If Steven Marshall is serious about getting the South Australian economy back on track he will prioritise investment in the services communities need. We need more public housing, more workers in child care, child protection, aged care, mental health and community health, for example.”

 “Investment in sustaining and protecting our environment would see the creation of hundreds of jobs for qualified park rangers and scientists to manage our national parks, protect threatened species, and to mitigate against bushfires and the huge costs they incur.”

 “Direct public investment in renewable energy could dramatically reduce electricity costs while providing hundreds more jobs both in their construction and service delivery for households.”

Governments are elected to provide safe, affordable, accessible high quality public services to all South Australians, and this state budget must ensure the current government meets that responsibility.

The PSA will update members once we have received and analysed the budget papers.