FIRST BIG TEST FOR NEW TREASURER : PLEASE EXPLAIN!

24 March 2011

SA Unions will be protesting at the Special ALP State Council meeting tonight when the new Treasurer is called to explain the Government's attacks on working people's pay and conditions.

SA Unions President, Jamie Newlyn says this will be the first big test for the Treasurer before hundreds of his own Party's members.

"At last November's State Convention, the Labor Party passed a unanimous motion directing the Rann Government to rescind its anti-worker legislation which attacked the rights of working South Australians."

"This special State Council is being called because five months later, party members are still waiting for the Treasurer to explain why he is continuing to ignore them."

"It's time he accounted for the decisions of his government before his own party."

The State Convention is the highest decision making body in the South Australian Labor Party and Ministers and the government are bound by the policy decisions made at that Convention.

Mr Newlyn says the Government is facing continued internal pressure over its attacks on the rights and working conditions of South Australians, with the ALP State Executive, ALP State Council and ALP State Convention all passing unanimous motions directing the government to change its budget decisions.

"People are entitled to an explanation from the Treasurer."

"It's time the Treasurer and his government put working South Australians first."

Mr Newlyn says the protest is part of continuing action by South Australian unions against the State Government's Budget, which includes radio and television advertising and www.saworkingpeople.com.au