As RiotACT readers no doubt no well there are two great instincts at the heart of any bureaucrat.
- 1) To cover their arses against potential future criticisms of their actions
2) To expand their empire
The “Community sector” is what happens when the Government decides services are important but instinct 1 overpowers instinct 2.
While there are some charities, and most “community sector organisations” take donations, the vast majority of the money comes from Governments handing out money to; if not make problems go away, at least to make it seem like as much is being done as can be expected.
And if things go tits up the community sector org can be set adrift, tenders issued, and someone else brought in with a slightly different name.
The ABC brings word that community sector workers have been protesting for equal pay as public servants.
Labor MLA Joy Burch has issued a statement of support. In a related move the Chief Minister has announced he’s going to push more tenders at organisations which employ more people with a disability and long term unemployed (not exactly a push for excellence).
Just a thought, perhaps if people want to be paid the same as other people in other jobs they should go get those other jobs?
In any event if the ACT Government wants more pay for community sector workers it’s going to have to increase what it gives community sector oranisations, it’s a pretty tight loop.
UPDATE: The Greens’ Senate candidate Lyn Hatfield Dodds is joining the call for a massive rise in the cost of community services.