The Community and Public Sector Union is sounding the alarm over job cuts that could affect the safety and emergency preparedness of all Canberrans.
Today, ACT public sector staff were notified on job cuts from the Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS), the directorate responsible for community safety, emergency preparedness, justice and the protection of rights.
JACS covers ACT's courts, Corrective Services including the Alexander Machonachie Centre, Director of Public Prosecutions, ACT Emergency Services Agency, ACT Human Rights Commission and more.
The CPSU holds serious concerns about the impact on public sector employees who remain at JACS if the Barr Government follows through on these job cuts, adding these workers are already overworked and overwhelmed.
There is also concern that the job cuts could compromise community safety, with the Barr Government potentially cutting jobs in Corrective Services and the Emergency Services Agency.
The CPSU is calling on the Barr Government to reverse these job cuts and further invest in public sector workers and the directorates that keep Canberrans safe.
QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO MADDY NORTHAM, CPSU REGIONAL SECRETARY
"This is a disgraceful decision by Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Director General Ray Johnson.
"These are jobs that affect community safety, justice, and emergency services and with Canberrans about to head into bushfire season it's preposterous that the Chief Minister thinks now is the time to slash jobs out of these vital public services.
"Canberrans know trained and trusted public servants are working to keep our community safe every single day. Today, Chief Minister Barr has broken that trust with the community.
"The Barr Government must immediately reverse this decision and provide further investment in the directorate that keeps us safe.
"Every Canberran - and the CPSU - will be watching Mr Barr's next move."
