Thursday 11 June 2026
The Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association of WA (CPSU/CSA) has condemned the proposal from the Cook Labor Government to privatise public services and calls on Hannah Beazley, the Minister for Disability Services, to immediately shelve the proposal.
The union this week received the WA Government’s proposal to privatise the remaining Disabilities Residential Group Homes, which would cut a further 400 public sector jobs, including over 300 social trainers, and significantly disrupt the vulnerable individuals who rely on this service. These residences are the homes of Western Australians with disabilities who require substantial and specialised support of Social Trainers to foster independent living. This proposal would have the individuals who rely on these services, who are long-settled and vulnerable residents, be severely disrupted by change, with changes to residence or care arrangements.
CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Melanie Bray, who worked in Disabilities Residential Group Homes for eleven years, said Western Australians should be outraged a Labor Government would propose privatisation of public services accessed by some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
“As someone who worked in group homes for eleven years, I know Social Trainers are likely feeling hurt, betrayed and concerned for the vulnerable individuals they support day in, day out. How a WA Labor Government, whose party platform includes statements on anti-privatisation and supporting governmental delivery of disabilities services, would make a proposal so antithetical to their values is absolutely shameful.
“This Government often boasts its job creating credentials. 5000 job cuts to public services over a decade is shameful, and completely contrary to their Labor values. You can’t cut your way into improved public services. Slower public services, a higher workers compensation bill and poorer attraction and retention in the public sector are going to be this Government’s Public Sector legacy.
“On Thursday 16 July at Solidarity Park, the CPSU/CSA will make it clear to this Labor Government that privatisation is unacceptable. The CPSU/CSA is calling on members, the broader union movement, and all Western Australians who value their public services to join us in a show of force, calling on Minister Hannah Beazley and the WA Labor Government to abandon this proposal.”
ENDS
- The 5000 job cuts calculation: VTSS 2017 – 3000+, 2024-25 State Budget - 100+ jobs in Dental Health Services, VTSS 2026 – 1500 jobs and Disabilities Privatisation – 400+.
- The rally will be held at 1:30pm on Thursday 16 July 2026 at Solidarity Park.
- The CPSU/CSA covers 44,000 general WA public sector workers, one-quarter of the workforce, including child safety practitioners, youth custodial officers and dental technicians.
- Please ensure “CPSU/CSA” is used when mentioning us. “CPSU” typically refers to the Union for Commonwealth, ACT and NT public sector workers. We are related but separate organisations.
For more details 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]
