PSA CPSU NSW Podcast

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...

In this episode, we go behind the scenes at Create NSW with Stuart, a Project Coordinator and PSA delegate, to explore the critical role the agency plays in supporting arts and culture across the state. From managing cultural landmarks like Carriageworks and the Roslyn Packer Theatre to overseeing grant funding and cultural space activation, Create NSW is central to the creative life of New South...

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of our schools — the administrative, support, and specialist staff who keep everything running. From front office managers to learning support officers, these essential workers are the glue of the school community. We talk about the importance of PSA Schools Recognition Week, the challenges members face, and the wins achieved through colle...

The Art Gallery of NSW is facing a $7.5 million funding shortfall, with management proposing to cut 51 positions. Nick, an installation manager and PSA delegate, joins us to share his firsthand experience of how these cuts will affect workers, programs, and the preservation of Australia’s cultural heritage. From the challenges of protecting centuries-old artworks to the fight against creeping casu...

Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright is joined by PSA member Anita Calabria and delegate Nadia Graham for an honest conversation about the realities of child protection work. They share their personal journeys, the immense pressures caseworkers face, the importance of cultural support for Aboriginal children, and the ongoing fight for resources and recognition. This episode highlights the dedic...

Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright sits down with Student Support Officers Mel Kerry from Rivendell School and Joshua Larwood from Kooringal High School. They discuss the crucial yet often overlooked role SSOs play in NSW public schools — from supporting student wellbeing and mental health to helping young people navigate social challenges and build resilience.  If you enjoyed this episode pl...