Union calls for city financial audit ahead of protest

THE AUSTRALIAN Services Union (ASU) has called for an independent review into the City of Greater Geelong’s finances as the city prepares to shed more jobs to improve its ailing balance sheets.

The Victoria and Tasmania branch of the ASU, its union allies and community members are set to march through Geelong West tomorrow (Saturday, June 24) in a last-minute protest to a raft of funding cuts under the city’s proposed 2023/24 budget.

ASU and other union members have been present at recent council meetings following the draft budget, with staff changes following a recent organisational restructure among their top concerns.

The council has also flagged $4.5 million worth of “efficiencies” for its new chief executive officer to find once appointed, which interim CEO Kaarina Phyland said in April would include staff changes.

A funding shortfall for library services and reduced staffing for the former community life directorate are other high-profile changes that have drawn community backlash.

ASU state branch secretary Lisa Darmanin said the union was “very worried” about the impacts of further funding changes for staff and delivery of council services.

She said branch members have also called on the state government to step in and review the city’s finances with a “specific, targeted audit” beyond standard reporting measures.

“We’re told year after year that the council’s finances are financially balanced until we turn up to a meeting and all of a sudden they’re not.

Ms Darmanin said the union had continued its discussions with COGG ahead of this weekend’s protest and a final councillor decision on the budget.

“We’re ever optimistic, continue to engage with council and the community.

“We want to make sure councillors are clear what the view of the workforce and the broader community is.

“There’s always hard decisions to be made, but councillors must make choices about which services to run. The workforce needs a greater say; they know what efficiencies and council waste looks like, but there’s no dialogue.”

Geelong Women Unionist Network co-convenor Adele Walsh said a Pakington Street march this weekend aimed to build on the local union’s movement’s “proud history of working with the community on community matters”.

“This draft budget affects so many members of our community, so we thought it was really important that we offer the community a last chance to come together and democratically engage, and let the council know our thoughts before they go ahead and vote on Tuesday night.”

Saturday’s event will start at Geelong West Town Hall at 10am before a march south on Pakington Street to West Park.