STATE BUDGET 2011/12: BARELY A PASSING MARK OF 2.5 OUT OF FIVE

9 June 2011

SA Unions says the State Budget is a step in the right direction, but the government has to do more to prove it is governing in the best interests of South Australian working people.

SA Unions Secretary, Janet Giles says there are some positive things in the budget including funding the Fair Work decision on community sector workers, and extra funding for vulnerable people, people with disabilities and children in state care.

"But the bad news is that another 400 jobs in the public sector will be axed."

"Who will do this extra work caring for people with disabilities and children in care if more jobs are slashed?"

Ms Giles says unions will continue their campaigning, because the government has done nothing to reverse the $2 billion in cuts announced as part of last year's budget or reinstate jobs.

"We don't see any evidence today that Premier Mike Rann's latest budget is taking any measures to right the wrongs of last year."

"We have been fighting for our services, to make sure that every family and community shares in the prosperity of this great State and we don't see any evidence in this Budget that things have improved."

Ms Giles says unions will be meeting next week to discuss the details of the budget and to plan the next steps in their campaign for jobs and community services.