You have an extensive history with the PSA, how did you come to be a delegate/President?
I started my working career with DSER straight out of school. I quickly wanted to take on new opportunities, so became a delegate. Reforms in the science sector saw me becoming more involved and with the introduction of the Science Committee it was a real opportunity to have a seat at the table when decisions were being made.
What was some of the highlights of being a delegate/president?
Getting to interact with other delegates from all sorts of different workplaces and jobs, each facing different issues. It’s humbling. It makes you realise sometimes that you can help make a real difference for those people by supporting them in their cause.
You have been an active member throughout successive changes in government, what lessons have you learned?
Don’t assume it’s not going to happen to you. It’s not just those who work as public servants but for every one of us who accesses public services. We all need to be thinking about the bigger picture when it comes to voting. Don’t be taken in by the promises of tax cuts and quick fixes. Any role funded by the Government is affected. It might not happen to you directly (a job loss) but tax cuts and savings have to come from somewhere. That means reductions in services and that’s something we all suffer for.
What’s something about your time as president that you would like to share with members?
PSA has always had a strong mentality of being politically neutral and it does this well. For a member looking at it from the outside, it can be frustrating, and leave some asking why things aren’t done faster. But it’s done for a reason. It enables us to manage our agenda and be strategic about when we fight for the things we want to achieve. As members you might not see things happening quickly, but it is being done for a reason.
What’s your advice to someone thinking of becoming a delegate?
Being a delegate is what you make of it. You can have as much or as little involvement as you want. It can present all sorts of opportunities and whether they are good or bad, you learn something just by being involved.
