PSA MEDIA RELEASE

12 February 2013

Wellington mayor needs a more consistent approach to asset sales and privatisation

The Public Service Association is urging Wellington’s mayor to adopt a more consistent approach when it comes to asset sales and privatisation.

Celia Wade-Brown is speaking in her official capacity as Mayor at an anti-asset sales rally in Wellington tonight.

The PSA says while it’s great to see her speaking out against asset sales, she is leading a Council which is contracting out and privatising core services.

“The Council has undertaken a significant review of its CitiOperations group which has resulted in drainage CCTV and roading work being contracted out, with good jobs being lost,” says PSA National Secretary Richard Wagstaff.

“It is justifying the move by saying it will ease pressure on the Council’s budget and be more efficient – the same sorts of arguments the government is using to sell off our assets.”

“What is more alarming is that the Council is restructuring through each of its business units and staff have been told that contracting out will be a part of that process,” Richard Wagstaff adds.

There’s also concern that the Council will adopt a more aggressive privatisation agenda with the appointment of new CEO Kevin Lavery, who comes to the job from Britain with a reputation for cost-cutting and outsourcing of services.

“While it’s good to see Celia Wade-Brown publicly putting a stake in the ground against asset sales, she needs to line that up with what’s happening in her own backyard and stop her Council from further contracting out,” Richard Wagstaff says.

ENDS

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