DPI Public Servants to Protest Tomorrow

Over 400 public servants from country NSW will be in Sydney to protest against the Carr Governments cuts to the newly formed Department of Primary Industries.

The Public Service Association (PSA) has organised a rally in defence of country jobs and services to be held outside NSW Parliament at 12 noon tomorrow August 31st 2004.

"This is an historic day. Never before have country based Public Servants taken to the streets of Sydney in protest at the actions of their employer," said Shane O'Brien, Assistant General Secretary of the PSA.

"It's not a first that many Government figures would be proud of, I suspect," Mr O'Brien said.

With as many as 800 jobs to be lost over the next 12 to 18 months, the rally will hear first hand from community representatives and affected staff about the impact of the $37M budget cuts on their families and their communities.

After the rally Country Labor members have made themselves available to meet with a delegation from the PSA and staff.

"We appreciate the interest that a number of MP's have expressed in trying to help us but it really is crunch time now for Country Labor. They will either prove themselves as forceful Country representatives or show themselves to be no different to the National Party when it comes to standing up to city interests," Mr O'Brien said.