Public Sector Union reacts to Border Farce

The CPSU has written a strongly worded statement directed at the Abbott gov. In response the the Border Force fiasco, and the community anger and danger that members of the force were subjected to as a result of the politicising of their roll.

"While this initiative may not have come directly from the Minister, the culture that led to these events does come from the Border Force legislation and from the Government. 

"Staff expect their Minister and the Government to ensure that Border Force can do their often challenging work in a professional manner and in a way that the community understands and accepts. 

"Immigration and Customs staff moved into the new Border Force organisation on 1 July. Any changes to their work as a result of this new arrangement needs to accord with our community's legitimate expectations. 

"The events yesterday highlight how important it is for Government to build community support and trust, not undermine it by politicising public services. 

"The fiasco yesterday caused serious safety concerns for both staff and people in the community. This included a young female Border Force officer and two colleagues who were surrounded and subjected to extreme verbal abuse at Flinders Street station before having to be removed to a police post. more