Energy & Water

The 2016 federal election is about priorities. Whether $50 billion of taxpayers’ money is best used on corporate tax cuts or on health, education and infrastructure investment. In this report we demystify the issues for our members and supporters so you can be well-informed at the ballot box. The ASU…

Despite being the reason for calling a double dissolution election, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) has been barely mentioned by the Liberal Government during the protracted election campaign, however the Union for local government, energy and water sector workers needs to alert the community that chaos may follow…

Around Australia this Easter weekend, millions will be taking a break and many will spend time with family and friends. Whether Easter itself means something religious or philosophical to you or not, everyone understands the importance of rest and spending time with loved ones. However, a very large number of…

PSI, Geneva, 18 June 2015 - Seven years after the 2008 financial crisis, it is clear that austerity does not work. On the contrary, cutting public spending has only produced more unemployment, poverty and inequality. At the same time, bankers, financiers and corporations see their profits boom and much-needed resources…

The Central Jakarta District Court on 24 March annulled the water privatisation contracts of Suez (PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya – Palyja) and Aetra, finding that the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) were negligent in fulfilling the human right to water for Jakarta's residents. Click here to read this on the PSI website…

Today the ASU has released a new report bringing together Australian and international research on privatisation to illustrate the detrimental impact it can have. Public opposition to privatisation is at a high pitch as more people become informed, yet some politicians remain intent on selling our public assets and in…

On 22 March 2015, World Water Day, PSI calls on water justice activists around the world to continue fighting for public and community control of water and sanitation services, to battle the contamination of watersheds, resist water grabs and demand water justice for all. Click here to read this on…

Over the last 15 years, more than 180 cities and communities in 35 countries have taken back control of their water services, a new study reveals. First published 13 November 2014 on the Public Services International (PSI) website A new report called "Here to stay: Water remunicipalisation as a global…

The ASU recently lodged a submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Natural Disaster Funding with a focus on alerting the Inquiry to the critical role local government plays in both preventing natural disasters and managing them when they do occur. ASU members working for councils are amongst the first…

Last week ASU electricity industry delegates and union Branch officials from all over Australia met in Sydney to discuss a broad range of issues facing the industry. The meeting brought together delegates from generation, transmission and distribution with a range of ASU classifications from operators to technical officers, administrative staff…