All seven of Cessnock’s State election candidates have declared their support for the Better State Five-Point Plan.
The candidates attended a public meeting, along with workers including nurses, paramedics and administration staff, at Kurri Hospital last Wednesday.
The community-driven campaign, headed by Unions NSW, demands investment in services to increase in line with population growth and the protection of workers’ rights.
The Better State campaign calls on candidates to:
1. Invest in services
2. Look after public assets
3. Plan long-term
4. Back our workers
5. Govern for the common good
All candidates in the NSW State Election will be asked to sign a declaration to commit to the plan.
Labor candidate Clayton Barr said it was a “no-brainer” for someone from the ALP to sign the declaration.
Independent candidate Dale Troy said the plan “just makes sense”, and that he doesn’t want to see assets at risk.
The Greens’ James Ryan congratulated Unions NSW for organising the event. “Services have been downgraded for too long…the Greens will not sell or contract out or public services,” he said.
Wayne Riley, of the Christian Democratic Party, said he was concerned that the major parties have the wrong agenda when it comes to public services.
Independent candidate, Allan McCudden said services are being run down drastically, that we are losing police and need more doctors, nurses and teachers. He added that Cessnock and Kurri hospitals need to be brought up to a city standard, including reinstating maternity services at Cessnock.
Allan Stapleford, also an independent, said it was a disgrace how badly services in the area have deteriorated. “I have no trouble signing this, it is exactly what everyone here should push for,” he said.
Nationals candidate Alison Davey said she was prepared to sign the declaration in its current form. She added that she will back workers at Kurri Hospital, Cessnock Gaol, Hydro and has signed a similar document supporting TAFE teachers.
Unions NSW Senior Campaigns Officer Mary Yaager said unions have joined together and taken the campaign around the State for two years, meeting with workers and communities to hear their thoughts on what they want for public services.
“We are now asking every single candidate (for the NSW Election) to commit to the five-point plan and sign the declaration,” Ms. Yaager said.
“The unions have agreed to come together and stand with the community, and will hold these politicians to account.”
Ms. Yaager noted the overwhelmingly positive reaction from people around the state to the five-point plan.
“The principles in the Better State plan are really resonating with everyday working people,” Ms. Yaager said.
“They want government to invest more in vital services, to protect public assets and to govern for the common good.”
Ms. Yaager said Unions NSW has enlisted 21 academics to assist with developing policies out of the campaign following the election.
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