United Voice News
Privatisation is not the answer
The Union representing disability service workers has hit back at a call by the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry to privatise disability services to aid the state government’s so-called efficiency drive.
“When the Liberals were last in state government they went on a privatisation spree," said LHMU assistant secretary Carolyn Smith.
“It didn’t work and ended up costing tax-payers more. Eventually services were taken back in-house.
“Previous outsourcing in the disability sector has meant that disability workers are doing one of the hardest jobs in the community that is also one of the lowest paid.
“Privatisation is a false economy – it involves some people losing their jobs, and others losing their entitlements while gaining a heavily increased workload.
“As a result, privatisation inevitably leads to a compromise in the quality of service that’s provided.
“If they privatise any government services, it will indicate they have learnt nothing of their mistakes of the past, and any service may be in the line of fire.”
