PSA CPSU NSW Podcast

In the inaugural episode of the Public Services Association podcast, host Marianne Ledic is joined by PSA CPSU NSW President Nicole Jess and Senior Organiser Belinda Tsirekas to discuss the critical "DV Needs Public Services" campaign. Tune in as they unpack the overwhelming realities faced by frontline public sector workers, the stark lack of resourcing across regional and metropolitan...

 Parliament is often called "the bear pit," but for the people who keep it running, the reality is far more precarious. In this episode, Troy Wright sits down with Senior Organiser, Anne Kennelly and PSA General Secretary, Stewart Little to discuss the historical inequities of the MOPS Act, the legacy of recent reviews, and the ongoing campaign to ensure parliamentary staff have the fair...

 In this episode, host Troy Wright (Assistant General Secretary, PSA) discusses key environmental and industrial issues affecting public sector workers across New South Wales. First, Dr. Lara Westwood (Research Officer) breaks down the PSA’s submission to the parliamentary inquiry on dingo and wild dog management, exploring species classification, ecological impacts, and the debate surrounding bai...

In this episode, hosts and guest speakers explore the pivotal role of Aboriginal Education Officers (AEOs) in Australian schools. With insights from an officer who has served for 38 years, the conversation details the shift in terminology and responsibilities from former roles to the current AEO model, designed to give staff greater standing and connection within schools and local communities.  Th...

In this episode of the PSA CPSU NSW Podcast, host Troy Wright (Assistant General Secretary) is joined by union delegates Nikki Corner and Sally Deans to explore the vital, complex, and often misunderstood work being done at Legal Aid NSW. Nikki (Senior Solicitor, Criminal Law Grants Division) breaks down the inner workings of the "engine room" of Legal Aid—from evaluating client eligibil...

In this episode of the PSA CPSU NSW Podcast, host Troy Wright broadcasts from the spectacular Royal Botanic Gardens on Gadigal land to chat with union delegates and workers, Maddie and Lachlan. Maddie, a horticulturist working primarily in the public domain of the Domain, and Lachlan, a horticulturist labourer rotating through the middle gardens, share what goes into designing and managing these i...

In this episode of the PSA CPSU NSW Podcast, Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright sits down with Policy Analyst Anna Patty to dissect the sobering and deeply concerning results of the PSA’s recent major housing survey. This episode shatters the myth that steady employment guarantees housing security. With an incredible response rate of over 5,100 members, the survey provides a statistically pow...

The Domestic Violence Needs Public Services campaign is led by PSA NSW President Nicole Jess and features insights from Nadia Graham, a caseworker seconded from Community Services, alongside survivors Bindi and Danny. The campaign is built around five core demands, with a primary focus on establishing transparency and accountability to ensure that the $274 million currently allocated to these serv...

In this episode of the PSA CPSU NSW Podcast, Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright pulls back the curtain on the critical, behind-the-scenes work of the Forensic Services Group with Delegate James Shonk. Moving away from the glamorised depictions in television dramas, this discussion explores the real-world complexities of crime scene investigation, laboratory analysis, and the vital role civili...

In this episode, Troy Wright (Assistant General Secretary of the PSA NSW) sits down with his South Australian counterpart, Celia Brougham (Assistant General Secretary of the PSA SA), to discuss one of the most significant union victories in recent Australian history. When Celia was elected in July 2025, she inherited a dire situation: a workforce that had endured years of stagnant wages and a gove...

In this episode of the PSA CPSU NSW Podcast, host Troy Wright sits down with District Fisheries Officers John Staines and Terry Steele to uncover the multifaceted and often dangerous reality of protecting Australia’s aquatic resources. Operating from both the coastal regions of Maclean and the inland waterways of Bathurst, these officers manage everything from recreational bag limits to complex co...

In this episode, Troy Wright sits down with Ian Watts, Office Manager at the Lidcombe Coroner’s Court and a PSA delegate, to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of the NSW justice system. Ian shares his journey from the private sector to a career defined by the intersection of law, medicine, and deep human empathy. We explore the massive scale of the court’s operations—han...

Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright sits down to discuss the massive machinery of government change that brought the state’s public housing services together to form Homes NSW. The episode breaks down exactly what the merger of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Housing, the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), and the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) means for both the tenants and...

Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright sits down with Glenn Elliott-Rudder, a Wagga Wagga-based Sheriff's Officer and PSA delegate, to discuss the realities of working in the New South Wales Sheriff's Office. As the oldest law enforcement body in the state, established in 1824, Glenn explains that the lineage of the role actually traces back to Anglo-Saxon times, long predating the clas...

In this episode of the PSA CPSU NSW podcast, hosts Troy Wright and Jason Mountney preview the Autumn edition of Red Tape magazine, focusing heavily on the union's recent advocacy and victories for public sector workers. The discussion highlights major ongoing campaigns, including the push to replace fragmented NGO domestic violence programs with a unified, government-run service, alongside de...

In this episode, host Troy Wright is joined by Stewart Little for a wide-ranging discussion on the growing housing crisis facing public sector workers across New South Wales, particularly in regional and high-needs communities. They examine how the lack of affordable and secure housing is undermining workforce attraction and retention, even in areas with strong job opportunities and significant co...

In this episode, Assistant Secretary Troy Wright sits down with two PSA delegates from the NSW Rural Fire Service — Jim Killeen and John Osmond — to uncover the often-overlooked professional workforce that keeps the RFS running behind the scenes. They explore the essential roles staff play in community protection, risk planning, hazard reduction, volunteer support, fleet logistics, and emergency c...

In this episode, Assistant Secretary Troy Wright sits down with Youth Justice delegates Suzi Evans and Judd Westling to shine a light on a vital but often overlooked part of the NSW public sector. Together, they discuss what day-to-day life inside Youth Justice centres really looks like — from supporting vulnerable young people, to navigating gang influences, to preparing detainees for life after...

In this episode, host Marianne Ledic sits down with PSA CPSU NSW General Secretary and CPSU SPSF Federal Secretary, Stewart Little, to reflect on a defining year for members across New South Wales. Together, they unpack major wins in child protection, corrections, and education; the continued fight against privatisation; and the challenges facing workers — from housing affordability to workplace s...

Foundation House has been a lifeline for countless workers facing addiction, gambling, and mental health challenges. In this episode, host Troy Wright speaks with Alex, who shares how the program operates, what residents experience during recovery, and how prevention and early intervention are shaping the future of workplace wellbeing. This episode also explores FOUNDO Blue, a proactive program pr...

In this week’s episode of the PSA CPSU Podcast, Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright speaks with Minister Kate Washington about her journey from community advocate to Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion. They discuss the government’s major child protection reforms, the crucial role of caseworkers and foster carers, and how the NSW Government is working to...

In this edition of the PSA Podcast, Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright sits down with journalist Jason Mountney to break down the Spring issue of Red Tape . They cover: SafeWork inspectors and the rollout of body-worn cameras Youth Justice members standing up over ongoing payroll issues The inspiring Champions of the State The push for fair pay for public sector psychologists And a discussion...

In this week’s PSA Podcast, host Troy Wright is joined by PSA Industrial Manager Dave Bartle and PSA Industrial Officer Dave Freyer to unpack a looming crisis in New South Wales correctional centres. Following the Ombudsman’s findings, thousands of inmate misconduct cases may be overturned or disregarded — with serious implications for staff safety, inmate management, and community protection. The...

In this episode, host Marianne Ledic speaks to PSA President Nicole Jess & Womens Industrial Officer Simone Scalmer to reflect on 95 years of the PSA Women’s Council from the early fight for equal pay to today’s campaigns for reproductive leave, domestic violence support, and workplace safety. Featuring powerful stories from the 2025 Women’s Conference, we hear how women past and present have...

This week, the PSA CPSU NSW Podcast puts a spotlight on the large and important membership within Corrective Services. Host Troy Wright first speaks with Senior Industrial Officer Thane Pearce about the recent enterprise bargaining at the privately-run Clarence Correctional Centre, operated by the multinational company Serco. They discuss the challenges of negotiating under the federal Fair Work j...