Petrol attack at Manawatu District Council shows lessons from Ashburton killings must be applied more widely

The Public Service Association (PSA) says the lessons being learned from the killings at Ashburton WINZ must be applied wider than just the core public service, following a petrol attack on the Manawatu District Council office this morning.

Richard Wagstaff, PSA National Secretary, said “This morning’s attack, which saw local government workers and police in Feilding splashed with petrol and the office soaked, is utterly reprehensible,”

“Frontline staff in local government and district health boards face the same risk as those in the core public service.

“The lessons being learned from the review into the safety of Ministry of Social Development staff must be implemented more widely than the core public service.

“The Government must ensure that the State Services Commission shares review findings with Councils and District Health Boards.

“The PSA represents staff working across all of these sectors, and we will continue to push for a focus on health and safety at work.

“It is completely unacceptable that people are having to deal with events such as this in their working lives.

“The health and safety of local government workers, public servants and health workers must be top priority for their employers,” said Richard Wagstaff.

ends

© Scoop Media