More than 100 scientists have signed an open letter to Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson protesting about the nearly 100 conservation jobs that will be cut over the next six months as many species and ecosystems teeter on the edge of oblivion. As they say, “recessions come and go: extinction is forever.”
As part of its deal with Act, the National government will legislate to cap government spending. “In fact the cap will actually force reduction in many services and may force future governments to cut New Zealand superannuation,writes CTU economist Bill Rosenberg in the Dominion Post. To see some of the cuts that have occurred already click on the poster.
The PSA has published an open letter to the incoming government. The letter appeared in the Sunday Star Times and the Herald on Sunday. Below is the full text.
Let’s keep New Zealand working
A challenge from the PSA to the incoming government One thing is clear today – New Zealanders don’t want their tax dollars going to overseas companies, private profits or to expensive consultants. We all want quality public services. What does that mean?Putting people before profit
Making our country a fairer, more equal society
Services that are there when they’re needed, especially in times of crisis.
That’s what people want. It’s how this country works.
This is not the time to make more drastic cuts or to privatise our services.
Our public services can be even better. But that requires a genuine commitment by the incoming government to support and build quality public services.
It’s a commitment to our families, our communities, our businesses, our future.
Here’s our commitment. We have ideas for ways to build even better high-quality public services. We’re up to the challenge and we hope for everyone’s sake that the incoming government is too.
Like all New Zealanders we urge them to keep New Zealand working.
Public spending often directly focuses on the future. Investment in high-quality public and community services pays dividends for future generations, helping reduce inequality and ensuring that we have a well-educated and healthy population. Good road infrastructure and public transport are essential for economic progress, while most of the policy development and investment in climate change prevention and mitigation comes from the public sector.
Despite this, we are facing cuts in our public services that could jeopardise that future. In 2011, for example, the health budget increased by only $436 million in new operational funding. The Council of Trade Unions estimated this was $127 million short of the $564 million required for services to stand still[1].
After three years of financial constraint, state agencies will also have to find savings of nearly $1billion over the next three years. And already we have seen cuts at the Department of Conservation that will severely impair the department’s technical expertise in the regions, raising concerns among conservation groups about how this will impact on innovation and new best practice in work being done to protect native species[2].
Everywhere, PSA members are reporting an increase in workloads and stress as they grapple with reduced funding and staffing, and endless restructurings. This is moving beyond value-for-money to affect the ability of these committed workers to deliver quality services. The PSA is committed to improving the quality and productivity of our public services, but not at the cost of indiscriminate cuts.
This Saturday, vote for the future. Vote for a government that will invest in properly funded public services, and the people who deliver them.
Check it out!
