Australia’s public sector has been identified as a unique and powerful training centre for personnel whose significant contributions to the community could continue well after they retire from the PS.
Chief Executive of the community-based Civil Liberties Australia (CLA), William Rowlings OAM (a former public servant), said a career in the public sector equips people with special skills, a wide range of abilities and a strong sense of social justice.
“In retirement, you can continue your service to the community by becoming involved in voluntary organisations which aim to improve our society,” Mr Rowlings said.
He said that, as an example, eight of the nine directors of CLA are current or ex-Public Servants with hundreds of the organisation’s rank and file members bearing the same, or similar, backgrounds.
Referring to CLA, Mr Rowlings said its main focus was on defending people’s rights, a role that benefitted greatly from the skills and abilities its many members gained by serving in the Public Service
“We go in to bat for everyone’s civil liberties,” Mr Rowlings said.
“We monitor the actions and inaction of politicians and review proposed legislation to make it better.
“We work to keep Australia the free and open society it has traditionally been, where you can be yourself without undue interference.”
He said CLA’s policies and current activities were recorded on the CLA website – www.cla.asn.au – and retiring, semi-retired or ongoing public service members with a commitment to keeping Australia open and free would be welcome to apply for membership.
Mr Rowlings said that among the leadership of CLA are former employees of the Australian Public Service, the NSW PS, ACT, Tasmanian, United Nations and United Kingdom’s.
Further information about the CLA can be accessed at this PS News link.
* Integrity admission: Group Editor of PS News, Frank Cassidy is a Director of Civil Liberties Australia.
