[Greens-Media] MEDIA RELEASE: 'WestConnex Papers Confirm O’Farrell’s Privatisation Agenda in Transport' Greens NSW Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC

[Mehreen Faruqi]

Media Release
28/3/2014
WestConnex Papers Confirm O’Farrell’s Privatisation Agenda in Transport
NSW Greens Transport Spokesperson, Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC, has said that the revelations that Roads and Maritime Services has considered an unprecedented level of outsourcing of roadwork and road design, potentially compromising public safety, is deeply concerning.  The information was revealed in a ‘call for papers’ motion initiated by Dr Faruqi three weeks ago.

“I am deeply concerned by this draft report that suggests the Government will undertake an unprecedented level of outsourcing within Roads and Maritime Services

“The WestConnex documents also reveal what many in the public service have already been telling me, that the Roads and Maritime Services intends to shed 30% more of its workforce in the coming three years.

“This is the next stage in the O’Farrell’s ideological attack on the public service.

“The deliberate de-professionalisation of engineers and technical knowledge within Roads and Maritime Services will only serve as a boon to the private companies and contractors who will have no real independent scrutiny to their design and tenders.

“Without in-house skills in the public service, billions of dollars’ worth of infrastructure projects delivered by consultants and private companies will have no oversight  – in the end, it is the taxpayer who will foot the bill for the Government’s short sighted vision.

“As a civil and environmental engineer, I am proud to support Professional’s Australia, a union representing engineers amongst others, in their push to retain the Engineers pay award as well as campaigning against the long term de-skilling of engineering expertise.

“This is the first of the Government’s secret revealed by my successful call for papers earlier this month, which will shine a light on the hidden details of the WestConnex tollway project”, she concluded.

Media Contact: Matt Hilton 0423106247
Story: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/barry-ofarrell-to-outsource-thousands-of-jobs-20140327-35lr9.html


Matt Hilton
Legislative, Policy and Media Adviser

Office of Dr Mehreen Faruqi MLC
Legislative Council | NSW Parliament
E: matthew.hilton at parliament.nsw.gov.au<mailto:matthew.hilton at parliament.nsw.gov.au>
P: (02) 9230 2625 | M: +61423106247|F: facebook.com/mehreenfaruqi | T: @MehreenFaruqi | W: mehreenfaruqi.org.au
Mail: Parliament House, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000

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