Members support rethink on public sector resourcing

Annerley Labor has thrown its support behind the current Together Union push for the Queensland state government to change direction in terms of its public sector employment practices.

Branch members adopted the Union’s motion which expresses concern over existing policies such as the contracting out of certain corporate functions, the overuse of labour hire and the engagement and reliance of expensive private sector consultancy firms.

The motion asserts that these practices are ‘expensive, wasteful and damaging’ to the public service and that they ultimately hurt services. Of particular concern are the instances where workers are doing similar work but for different amounts of pay.

The union motion also highlights other issues for the state government to urgently address, such as:
• arbitrary rules such as staffing caps – including the unnecessarily legislated ‘Principle 6’ of the government’s fiscal strategy,
• the false and misleading distinction between “frontline” and “non-frontline” staff, and
• the poor governance of employment practices as currently overseen by the Public Service Commission.

The Branch has communicated its support for Together’s campaign by writing recently to the Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, advising her of its adoption of the union’s motion. It is expected that the motion will be conveyed to ALP state conference in July.

Policy agenda backed by regional assembly

The April session of the Party’s Brisbane South Regional Members Assembly has supported all of Annerley Labor’s submitted resolutions. The meeting, which was held online, saw a number of motions considered from branch members across the federal electorates of Griffith and Moreton. The Assemblies are part of the Party’s democratic structure that allows rank and file members to discuss important policy matters that can then be conveyed to the annual state conference.

The Annerley Branch submitted several motions which included a call for local government electoral reform, a review of the public sector use of private consultancy firms, initiating a community dialogue on ways to strengthen and enhance our democratic system, introducing a code of conduct for state and local government election campaigning and ensuring family pets are considered in addressing the issue of domestic violence.

The Party’s state conference will be held this year in Brisbane on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June and will adopt a new policy platform as part of its business.

New climate change laws urged

Branch members have called on the Queensland Labor government to adopt a new legislative framework for climate change that specifically includes clear objectives, binding emission reduction targets, and regular monitoring and public reporting.

In tandem with any new, stronger laws, it is also suggested that an action plan be developed to manage risks and outline performance measures to track progress. Importantly, any new laws should mandate public engagement and ensure that the issues of affected vulnerable sectors and communities are thoroughly addressed.

Branch members believe that adopting new, more robust legislation will demonstrate strong leadership by setting clear objectives and emissions reductions targets and establishing standards of accountability, as well as demonstrating a transparent commitment to climate justice for all Queenslanders.

Currently, Queensland accounts for nearly a third of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, the highest of any Australian state or territory.

Call for youth justice reforms

A recent communique on youth justice reform from the Queensland Indigenous Labor Network (QILN) has received support from the Annerley Branch.

The communique expresses disappointment and objection to the current suite of proposed legislative changes to the Youth Justice Act 1992 and calls upon the Queensland Government to consult more broadly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, academics and industry experts. It also urges stronger reliance on evidence based programs and initiatives to inform future amendments to the Act, as well as the Charter of Youth Justice and the Child Protection Act.

QILN’s communique also urges the Queensland Government to increase the age of criminal responsibility from age 10 to 14 years and to extend care to young people in-out-of-home care until they turn 21 years of age – all within the current term of government.

The Branch has written to the Queensland Attorney General, adding its public support for the communique.

Support to re-introduce Family Law Court

Annerley Branch members have overwhelmingly supported a motion calling on the next Federal Labor Government ‘to reinstate, as a priority, a properly resourced and funded specific Family Court of Australia’.

The resolution was adopted as a result of the controversial decision of the Morrison Government to capitulate to One Nation in its reckless campaign to abolish the essential court system, despite deep concerns of many legal and family welfare organisations.

Many across Australia have expressed alarm that the removal of the court will inevitably cause severe distress for many families, particularly for women and their children.

Community Centre ‘roadmap’ developed

The Annerley Branch has adopted a ‘roadmap’ to establish a local community centre. The roadmap commits the Branch to working with local elected representatives and relevant community organisations to create a permanent community facility in the area. In addition, the plan also will seek to build community awareness and support for the issue.

Many branch members are concerned that there is a distinct lack of a community centre located, and operating, within Annerley. It is suggested that a service, physically located in Annerley, would be more accessible for residents, especially those who have mobility issues.

Annerley Labor celebrates 20 years

March 2021 saw the 20th anniversary of the Annerley Branch with a special dinner held at the Yeronga RSL. Members gathered to celebrate the milestone, on 20 March, reflecting on the achievements of the Branch which has grown from 40 members to almost 140 during that time.

Joining the commemoration were Graham Perrett MP, Federal Member for Moreton and Cr Steve Griffith, Councillor for Moorooka Ward. A special video message was also sent from Griffith MP, Terri Butler.

The Annerley Branch was officially formed on 7 March 2001 when two local branches amalgamated to ensure a strong active presence in the area.