By Angela Dorizas

Public servants in Western Australia have rallied against the privatisation of government services.

Around 1,000 public sector employees gathered outside Parliament House today in protest against the privitisation of government services in forestry, health, education, correctional services, water and utilities.

The Community and Public Sector Union and Civil Service Union of WA (CPSU/CSA) have launched a campaign against the Barnett Government’s public sector reforms.

CPSU/CSA branch secretary Toni Walkington said privatisation would reduce quality of services, reduce wages and conditions and increase prices.

“The WA Government’s plan to sell our public services will put profit before people,” Mr Walkington said.

“The quality of services will diminish; the cost of services will rise and employees will be worse off under the Government’s privatisation agenda.

“We call on the Premier to explain to the public how services will not be cut if private entities are allowed to run essential government services for profit.”

WA Health Minister Kim Hames today announced that the State Government would procure non-clinical support services from the private sector for the new $166 million Albany Health Campus.

“We want to explore the options for involving the private sector in delivering first-class support services at the new facility,” Mr Hames said.

Unions are concerned that this decision will threaten up to 100 public sector jobs.

Mr Hames said any staff affected by the privatisation of non-clinical services would be entitled to employment elsewhere within the public sector “even if they’re not doing that job”.