Dept Communities Workers Stop Work to Demand Answers about Services in Crisis

Media release – Health & Community Services Union, 12 August 2022

Department of Communities workers stop work to demand answers about services in crisis

HACSU and CPSU members from the Department of Communities Tasmania will today gather at Civic Square in Launceston to demand answers about the crisis that exists in many crucial service areas.

The government’s solution is to abolish the Department of Communities, which can only exacerbate the burnout and stress of the essential workers who provide support to the most vulnerable in our community.

Child Safety is overwhelmed by demand. Youth Justice is confused by a stalled reform agenda and the ongoing issues at Ashley. Meanwhile, housing and homelessness services continue to fail struggling Tasmanians.

The government cannot explain how abolishing Communities Tasmania will address any of these issues.

At this stage, the actual timeline for the abolition is still unclear.

Quotes attributable to HACSU Assistant Secretary Lucas Digney:

“Critical services are currently in crisis and these vital workers are struggling with crippling demand. It’s gotten worse, not better, and nothing has been provided by government or departmental representatives as to how the immediate service delivery crisis across our services will be addressed.”

“Putting in unsustainable solutions while telling everyone that a move to a new mega-department is the silver bullet is simply not accepted by our members. Refusing to engage in a meaningful change process with the workers who deliver the services shows just how out of touch the government are on this decision.”

Quotes attributable to CPSU Assistant Secretary Tom Lynch:

“What we need from the government is a real and urgent plan to address chronic recruitment and retention issues but what we’re getting from the Rockliff government is shuffling of chairs on the Titanic.”

“We know there are hundreds of kids reported at-risk that are not getting the care and support they deserve today, but Premier Rockliff thinks changing the name of their Department will fix the problems. Our members are standing up to say it won’t and they demand real action from this Premier.”

“Why wouldn’t the government wait to hear the findings of the Commission of Inquiry before making such a huge change? Their refusal to reconsider this poorly thought through decision is arrogant and will place kids at greater risk.”