Don't Chop Motor Services: PSA

The Pubic Service Association has backed a West Wyalong community protest against the closure of the local Motor Registry.

"We urge the government to reconsider its decision and maintain RTA registry services," said PSA Senior Industrial Officer Greg Shaw.

The West Wyalong closure is one of three RTA office closures proposed by the State Government. The other RTA offices under threat are Springwood and Katoomba.

Mr Shaw said the looming cut in service that has caused today's protest is a taste of things to come under the State Government's plan to cut 4000 public service jobs and the Opposition's pledge to cut 29,000.

The PSA met with the RTA on the 1st March 2006 in relation to the proposed closure of West Wyalong Motor Registry, Springwood and Katoomba Registries. The RTA advised that it has not set a date for closures.

Concerns about service delivery in the bush rated very highly in a recent Auspoll survey of NSW voters in battleground state seats, showing 64 per cent of NSW voters want to see more staff in regional areas.

"This backs the feedback from our members in the regions, who tell us that they stretched to the limit and that any further job cuts will lead to drop in services," Mr Shaw said.

According to an Auspoll survey of NSW voters in key marginal seats, conducted for the PSA over summer:

• 41 per cent think there needs to be more staff in rural services, while 23 per cent think there needs to be "much more staff."
• the majority do not believe that the private sector deliver either better quality or more cost effective services than the public sector.
• jobs cuts work against the public interest and are only in the interest of big business.
• they would be less likely to vote for political parties who cut public sector jobs.