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Letters: Your Say Reading exercise Editor It would be good if PSA members could see the wording of the recent MoU and the 2003 version (PS News, ‘Paying Out on Pay Case Facts,’ 12 November 2008). This would allow everyone to better understand how the new version improves our lot. I appreciate the PSA is acting on behalf of members but it would be good to be able to read for ourselves what 'we' have actually agreed to. We can then form our own opinion. Linda Oliver ServiceFirst Traded off Editor In response to the letter written by John Cahill (PS NewsLetters, 12 November). Just because the current General Secretary says it, doesn't mean that it is true. Does anyone believe that of the Public Service unions that have received pay increases this year, that the PSA of NSW is the only one that has been able to achieve a pay rise without trade offs? I am a Progressive candidate standing for the election as Vice President, and I challenge Mr Cahill’s comments. As a member all you have to do is read the Memorandum of Understanding, the document that Mr Cahill signed with the Government. Then read Mr Cahill's response and then read the truth which is on the progressive webpage. Jeffery Walters Attorney General’s Department Paying out! Editor As the General Secretary of the PSA of NSW, I am astounded that you have published an astonishly incorrect account of the PSA's recent pay rise (PS News, 22 October 2008). One of the two people you have quoted, Paul Petersen, is a senior official in the Premier's Department, and is the leader of the dissident "trotskyite" faction within the PSA. He is currently criticising the pay case, the PSA, its officials and everyone else to try and win votes. In the parallel election for the State Branch of the Federal union, the CPSU, he polled just 27% when he ran against me for State Secretary. The statements made by him and the other person you quote, Anne Gardiner, are untrue and have to be seen in the context of them being candidates in current PSA elections. While I understand these trots have a paid advertisement on your site, why don’t you ring me for comment like the rest of the media? You should at least publish an article from me where the truth can be presented to public servants. John Cahill PSA Sydney Keynesian point! Editor Wasn't the main point of Keynesian economic policy (PS News Talking Point, 13 October 2008) for the Government to fund large scale infrastructure projects which built the country's productive capacity, stimulating demand and providing secure employment and a decent wage to many of those who had lost their jobs as a result of the stockmarket crash? Cheap overseas labour cannot rebuild a nation's infrastructure. Leonie DEEWR Give and take Editor, I notice in your latest PS News (Issue 43, week commencing 23/9/08) that you made no mention of the fact that, resulting from the 4% salary increase, agencies will be expected to fund 1.5% of that increase each year for the next 5 years. It seems what one hand giveth, the other hand taketh away! I think your publication should tell the whole story, not just the rosy part. Patrick McMahon NSW Not happy with happiness Editor Get Hindmoor (PS News Talking Point w/comm 11 August) to read Martin Seligman or some other psychologist studying happiness before he makes uninformed comments on its nature and causes. Very poorly researched article particularly irritating to those who have been interested in happiness, its definition, causes and benefits for individuals and society in general....don’t get me started or I’ll write the next article. Jennifer Berensen Victoria Lost the plot Editor I can see why Brian Holden is retired! (PS News Talking Point 28 April) He's lost the plot, either that or he has been reading too much Manning Clarke; that doyen of the looney left who cynically enjoyed the hospitality of Britain during WW2, did nothing to help the war effort and eventually sailed home under the protection of Mr Holden's deluded servicemen to foster his own academic career and ultimately write his version of 'our' history. It may be politically correct, even popular, to spit on our culture and our relations with the US and Britain, but that gives Mr Holden no right to dismiss and diminish the sacrifice made by many Australian servicemen and servicewomen past and present. These men and women were not fools or dupes. They fought, and many died, for what they believed in - my grandfather, my mother and father, my uncles and aunts, my friends have all donned the uniform and fought for Australia. Believe me none of them was deluded or tricked as Mr Holden would have you believe. War is certainly the closest thing to hell that humankind has created. It is not however the 'ultimate human failure'. Mr Holden would sleep sound in his bed under the protection of his abused soldier. I suggest Mr Holden first examine his own motives, principles and ethics before he pretends to lecture the rest of us. His right to write his 'views' was bought with the blood and suffering of those he now derides. Look to your own failures first Mr Holden. John Bates |
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