SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Unions will walk out of ALP conference

Victorian unions will walk out of the state Labor conference, but Premier Daniel Andrews has avoided the embarrassment of having them do so during his speech.

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

Unions will walk out of Victoria's state Labor conference in protest against disability support privatisation, but it won't be during the premier's speech.

Premier Daniel Andrews will avoid having the embarrassing walk-out happen during his address to the Victorian ALP on Saturday after hashing out a deal with union bosses.

The Health and Community Services Union will rally outside the conference and had planned to walk out during Mr Andrews' speech to protest a plan to privatise disability support funding.

But the premier met with the union on Friday to sort out a compromise.

Instead, the unions will walk out to protest at 9.30am before going back inside. Mr Andrews is due to speak shortly after.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

The walk out was sparked by the HACSU's anger over Victoria's plan to contract out disability services, which the union says goes against a pre-2014 election promise.

"This is a deal breaker," union spokesman Joe Taylor told AAP.

The HACSU is campaigning against Labor in marginal seats and has the support of other unions for their walk out.

Disability Minister Martin Foley said the NDIS would mean an extra 27,000 Victorians who don't have access to services would receive support.

"We are working hard with unions around the best way to implement the scheme, as we promised," Mr Foley said.


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world