The current COVID-19 pandemic has been described by the Leader of the Opposition Australian Labor Party as a ‘once-in-a-generation chance’ to reshape Australia’s economy and has prompted him to call for changes to the Australian Public Service when society returns to normal.
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese (pictured) said the crisis has revealed millions of Australians relying on casual, insecure work for their livelihood with the economical risk of our society shifted onto those with the least capacity to manage it.
“If some good is to come out of this tragic episode it’s that we must recapture the qualities that, for so long, made our country the envy of the world,” Mr Albanese said.
“That strength must be built on delivering more security for those who have work, and jobs and skills for those who don’t.”
He said the experience of working from home in recent months had given many Australians a practical insight into how many businesses could improve their cost structures and productivity by moving to regional cities and towns.
“For many, the location and nature of their work will have changed forever, with the potential to increase productivity and decrease urban congestion,” he said.
“We must invest in nation building infrastructure including iconic projects like High Speed Rail and we should be building trains here.”
He said an appropriate decentralisation strategy which boosted regional economic development and took pressure off the capital cities should be at the heart of national economic development.
“We could start by restoring public sector jobs in areas such as Centrelink, Medicare and Veterans Affairs that deliver services to regional communities,” Mr Albanese said.
“The contracting out of essential public services is not in the national interest and must stop. It’s time to put human beings and human dignity back into human services. The basics of life such as early childhood education should be nurtured and made affordable.”
Mr Albanese signed off saying the present situation was “unprecedented.”
“But as we look ahead it is our instincts – shaped by our past experience and underpinned by our enduring values – that will give us our best chance of getting the future right,” he said.
