Friday 25 July 2025
The Australian Electoral Commission yesterday officially declared the results of the Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association of WA’s (CPSU/CSA) branch elections, announcing those who will lead the union for the next three years.
The roles of President, Vice-President (2), Branch Secretary and Treasurer were uncontested, with incumbents President Matthew Abrahamson from the Department of Justice, Vice-President Becky Anderson from the Department of Communities, Branch Secretary Melanie Bray formerly from the then Disability Services Commission and Treasurer John Lamb from the Department of Treasury and Finance set to continue in their respective roles. The second Vice-President position, previously held by Lewis Stevens who chose not to nominate for this position, has been filled by Bethany Conway from Department of Mining, Petroleum and Exploration. Following a ballot of membership which concluded on Wednesday 23 July 2025, Ness Brett formerly from the then Department of Corrective Services was elected as Branch Assistant Secretary.
Branch Secretary, Melanie Bray, thanked outgoing members of the CPSU/CSA Council, and welcomed the returning and fresh members of the Council, saying it is a privilege to continue leading a union with so many dedicated and passionate public sector workers forming up a Council with solid, on the ground public sector and leadership experience.
“The results of this year’s CPSU/CSA branch elections have delivered Branch Council of highly dedicated, incredibly knowledgeable and deeply passionate people. People who I know will bring an incredible wealth of experience and on-the-ground knowledge to their roles, and will join me in providing best-practice and well-informed governance and strategic direction to our union, as we aim to deliver real outcomes for our members and their workplaces.
“Branch Assistant Secretary, Ness Brett, and I want to thank all members who put their trust in us to lead their union for another term. As former public sector workers ourselves, our commitment has always been to ensure our union is run by members, for members.
“Ness and I bring a combined twenty-five years of shop floor experience from the public sector to our roles, combined with an additional twenty-five plus years of organising experience. This experience means we know firsthand that the power of the union is in the collective power of its members, and that our union is at its best when our strategic direction is guided and informed by them.
“As we look to the future, it could not be a more exciting time to join the CPSU/CSA, with our upcoming Delegates Conference set to cement our union’s strategic plan for the coming years, and as we begin to have early conversations with delegates and members about the shape and structure of negotiations for the replacement to the Public Sector Civil Service Association Agreement 2024 and its satellite agreements to take place from early 2027.”
ENDS
- A full list of the successful candidates is available below.
- The CPSU/CSA covers 44,000 general public sector workers, one-quarter of the WA public sector, including child protection officers, youth custodial officers, park rangers, veterinary scientists and dental technicians.
- Note to Journalists: Please ensure the full acronym, “CPSU/CSA” when mentioning us. “CPSU” is typically used to refer to the Union that covers Commonwealth, ACT and NT public sector workers. We are related but separate organisations.
For more information or to arrange further comment from CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary Melanie Bray:
Alex Wallace
CPSU/CSA Media and Stakeholder Officer
M: 0421 934 794 E: [email protected]
Full Results for the CPSU/CSA Council as per the Australian Electoral Commission:
Officer Bearers:
President: Matthew Abrahamson
Vice-Presidents: Becky Anderson & Bethany Conway
Branch Secretary: Melanie Bray
Branch Assistant Secretary: Ness Brett
Treasurer: John Lamb
Councillors by Electorate
Communities:
Anette Bohm
John Hughes
Alexander McInnes
Roderick Schoneveld
Dental and Health Services:
Sasha Rademakers
Benjamin Weber
Higher, Further and Technical Education:
Lewis Stevens
Justice:
Aleks Miller
Peter White
Carrie Ridley-Clissold
Ursula Konig
Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety:
Amanda Haley
Policy, Administration and Recreation:
Jermey Mowe
Primary Industries and Regional Development:
Philip Goulding
Charles Martin
Schools and Regional Officers:
Diarmuid McDonagh
Denise Hendon
Fiona Wilson
Transport and Main Roads:
Joanne Shepherd
Water, Environment and Conservation:
Kassey Truesdale
Derek Winters
Western Australian Police and Emergency Services:
Brianna Rositano
Marquita Theil-Harkin
No nominations were received for the Education or Finance, Lands and Heritage Electorates.
