NEWMAN GOVERNMENT PLANS MORE PRIVATISATION

Media Release.

Shadow Police and Emergency Services Minister, Bill Byrne, says the Newman Government will use the Keelty Report to privatise more services and cut more jobs.

“The Premier last December said his mass sackings were over, but the Keelty report clearly opens the door to more job losses,” Mr Byrne said.

Mr Byrne said shifting the Queensland Ambulance Service to Queensland Health would make it easier to privatise and giving the bungling Attorney-General responsibility for prisons was a disaster waiting to happen.

“The Opposition warned that the government was suppressing the Keelty report until after the federal election because it would point to more job cuts,” Mr Byrne said.

“So it’s no surprise that the report that was meant to be presented by mid-year is suddenly available for publication.”

Mr Byrne said he was yet to read the report in detail.

“But there are some issues that have been flagged previously which concern me because of their likely impact on jobs,” he said.

“For example, Queensland Health is currently the hot-bed of Newman Government privatisations and job shedding."

“Shifting the QAS to Queensland Health signals the government’s intention to outsource ambulance and paramedic services which fits with its plans to Americanise our hospital and health system."

“The Health Minister Lawrence Springborg has made an art form of evading responsibility and buck-passing to regional health boards. Ambos and other QAS staff can have no confidence he will have their interests at heart."

“Any transfer will also come at a difficult time for the health system and Queensland Health with its new Director-General who has no background in the health sector."

“Similarly, Jarrod Bleijie is the Minister who oversaw the escape of the first occupants of the first of his boot camps and has bungled the selection process for that and others."

“The Keelty Report openly recommends privatising corrective services using the government cover of ‘contestability which is also in line with the Costello Audit’s recommendations."

“We need to be told what is on the privatisation block and how many jobs are on the line and where,” Mr Byrne said.

Keelty Report:  MediaAttachments/2013/pdf/Police and Community Safety Review Report.pdf