Public service funding a matter of life and death

Firefighters, like all public sector workers, need to know that our state government is committed to providing decent services for the people of NSW.

This is why the ‘Better State’ campaign led by Unions NSW is an important initiative in the lead up to the next state election.

Regardless of who wins, we need to know what our political candidates stand for. Do they support decent schools, hospitals and emergency services, or do they see them as cash cows to be sold off to the top end of town?

Saving lives: proper funding can make the difference

Firefighters are at the coalface of the public sector. If our job is not properly resourced the community suffers in the most immediate way.

For us, funding public services is not some optional extra – it is literally the difference between life and death. In the event of fire, hazardous material spills, car crashes or other rescue situations we all need a fast, professional, and well-resourced response. This cannot be achieved for free. It requires financial commitment from government.

Both sides of politics have poor track records on this question. While the Coalition has traditionally starved the public sector of funding, in recent years the ALP has done their best to actually sell off electricity generation, prisons, and ferries to the highest bidder.

The Better State campaign aims to expose those politicians who are prepared to sell off or starve our public sector, and to identify and support those who will fight to maintain it.

This isn’t just a campaign for public sector workers; the whole community needs to know where our politicians stand on investment in public services.

With the official launch of the campaign today, I encourage all FBEU members, and your friends and families, to get involved in the campaign for the kind of public sector we need – properly funded, where services are provided as needed, and staff are treated with dignity.