Wednesday 15 July 2026
The Community and Public Sector Union/Civil Service Association of WA (CPSU/CSA) will on Thursday 16 July 2026 rally at Solidarity Park, calling on Hon. Hannah Beazley MLA, Minister for Disability Services, to shelve the proposal to privatise disabilities Supported Community Living (SCL) residential group homes.
Since Monday 8 June 2026, when the CPSU/CSA was officially invited to consult on the proposal, the union has received consistent feedback from members that they have several grave concerns. Concerns include many individuals in the service not being genuinely consulted on the proposal, that workers were given concerning advice and that the magnitude of this proposal and its potential impact to all people who work in and rely on this essential service is not being adequately addressed.
CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Melanie Bray, said that Minister Beazley had no choice but to shelve this proposal immediately, as the WA Government could not in good faith make a decision based on ill-considered advice based on years of deliberately undermining the service. Ms Bray continued that the WA Government cannot put the workforce and vulnerable individuals accessing the service, and their families, through that uncertainty and needs to treat all with the dignity and respect they deserve.
“The union told the Government that this process would hurt workers and individuals alike, and yet our call to consider psychosocial Work Health and Safety matters through consultation were paid little respect. We raised member concerns that individuals in their care were not adequately consulted. Even in the face of losing their own jobs, the service they have dedicated their working lives to and the pain of possibly severing deep relationships with people in their care, our members have remained their staunch advocates.
“This ill-conceived proposal has done enough harm as it is, it never should’ve seen the light of day. This proposal was underpinned by poor advice, followed by poor consultation and reflects poor adherence to the values of a Labor Government, who are seeking to privatise public services. The Government has failed to invest in the service for a decade, and then say it is not contemporary and has dwindled in demand. This a construction of their own making, which the Government is now trying to use as evidence to justify their proposal.
“At a time where our community needs more services, not less, it is heartbreaking to consider that this Labor government would be considering privatising this public service and abandoning vulnerable people in their care. Today social trainers, union members and supporters of public services alike will rally, calling on Minister Beazley to shelve this proposal.”
ENDS
● Over 100 people are expected to attend the rally at Solidarity Park, behind Parliament House, from 1:30pm to 2:30pm Thursday 16 July 2026.
● MEDIA ALERT: CPSU/CSA Branch Secretary, Melanie Bray, and CPSU/CSA Workplace Delegate from Supported Community Living, Danielle Baker, will hold a media conference at 2:30pm at Solidarity Park, following the rally.
● The CPSU/CSA covers 44,000 general government workers, one-quarter of the WA public sector, including child safety practitioners, social trainers, 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]
