The Greens have made repeated calls for the Rockliff Government to scrap their plans to relocate Heritage Tasmania northern office staff from their well-functioning St Johns Street office in Launceston to Prospect. Now, after five months of pressure from many, including staff, unions and the Greens, the Government have reversed the decision to move the offices. We commend the Liberal government for this decision.
Heritage Tasmania’s northern office staff provide an important government service that is highly valued by the Tasmanian public. The team are renowned for their timely and professional service, and maintaining their location in St John St better allows them to continue this excellent service.
This episode has caused unnecessary angst for Heritage Tasmania staff. Neither staff or the unions were consulted prior to the announcement of the move, and it was only union and political pressure that forced the Government to listen and change course.
More broadly, this issue is emblematic of the lack of respect the Rockliff Government has for workers in the public service – by announcing the move in the week before Christmas with no consultation, the Government ensured their faithful Heritage Tasmania staff went into the festive season with feelings of dread and anxiety.
The Greens are pleased the Government has acknowledged their poor decision and corrected it.
