Public Sector Wages

Government threatens public services

By ACTU

Unions are calling on the Prime Minister to extend a looming deadline in world trade negotiations that threaten essential public services and Australian control of key industries.

The ACTU said John Howard should postpone the March 31 deadline for Australia's response to proposals on the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) which could undermine existing health, housing, education, childcare, water, energy, postal and telecommunications services.

ACTU President Sharan Burrow called on Mr Howard to end the secrecy surrounding the Government's negotiations on the GATS and to extend the March deadline in order to allow time for a full public debate, including in both Houses of Federal Parliament.

"The GATS agreement is one of the most important economic and social decisions facing Australia, but the Federal Government is refusing to provide details of what services and industries it is prepared to trade off," Ms Burrow said.

Ms Burrow was speaking before addressing an Australian and New Zealand union seminar on the GATS in Sydney today.

Under the World Trade Organisation's GATS framework, the Howard Government is due to respond by March 31 to the ambit claims of other nations for access for foreign companies to take over Australian public and community services to generate overseas profits.

The GATS proposals also threaten local content rules for the Australian media, environmental protection regulations and foreign investment controls.

"The GATS agreement will be binding on State and Local Government services but they have no say in the negotiations," Ms Burrow said.

"John Howard should abandon the March 31 deadline and commit to full public consultation, transparent access to all claims and a parliamentary debate in both Houses before any negotiations take place."

© 2001 Community & Public Sector Union - State Public Services Federation (CPSU-SPSF) - National Office

http://www.cpsu-spsf.asn.au/latest_news/public_sector_wages/20021209_gats.html
Last Modified: 15 Nov 2005