PSA CPSU NSW Podcast

Public Service Association of NSW
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Audio stories for members of the Public Service Association of NSW and CPSU, Community and Public Sector Union, NSW Branch.

  1. 1D AGO

    PSA Podcast - Inside the NSW Coroner’s Court

    In this episode, Troy Wright sits down with Ian Watts, Office Manager at the Lidcombe Coroner’s Court and a PSA delegate, to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood parts of the NSW justice system. Ian shares his journey from the private sector to a career defined by the intersection of law, medicine, and deep human empathy. We explore the massive scale of the court’s operations—handling roughly 8,000 cases annually—and the delicate balance staff must strike when assisting families through their darkest moments. Ian also discusses the vital role of the PSA in supporting the mental health and resilience of public servants who face vicarious trauma daily as part of their "occupational hazard". If you enjoyed this episode please follow us at PSA CPSU NSW on all platforms. PSA CPSU NSW Membership: psa.asn.au/join

    26 min

  2. APR 9

    PSA Podcast - Public Housing and the Workers Behind It

    Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright sits down to discuss the massive machinery of government change that brought the state’s public housing services together to form Homes NSW. The episode breaks down exactly what the merger of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Housing, the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), and the Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) means for both the tenants and the frontline public sector workers managing the transition. The conversation dives deep into the daily realities of housing staff who are currently navigating an unprecedented state-wide housing crisis. From managing extensive waitlists and supporting tenants with complex mental health and social needs, to tackling the massive backlog of maintenance for aging public housing properties, the workload is immense. While the creation of Homes NSW aims to streamline these disjointed services, the practical reality of blending different workplace cultures and IT systems requires heavy lifting from the staff on the ground. Finally, the episode highlights the critical role of the PSA during this monumental shift. Protecting hard-won conditions, ensuring workloads remain safe and manageable, and fighting for adequate resourcing are top priorities for the union. Ultimately, a successful public housing system that truly supports the state's most vulnerable residents relies entirely on a well-supported, fully staffed workforce. If you enjoy this please follow us on our socials at PSA CPSU NSW.

    34 min

  3. APR 2

    PSA Podcast - The Frontline of Justice: Inside the NSW Sheriff's Office

    Assistant General Secretary Troy Wright sits down with Glenn Elliott-Rudder, a Wagga Wagga-based Sheriff's Officer and PSA delegate, to discuss the realities of working in the New South Wales Sheriff's Office. As the oldest law enforcement body in the state, established in 1824, Glenn explains that the lineage of the role actually traces back to Anglo-Saxon times, long predating the classic American Western sheriff. A massive part of a Sheriff's day-to-day job is protecting the justice system. This includes screening visitors for weapons, managing juries, and de-escalating situations with highly emotional or agitated people inside the courthouse. Beyond the courthouse walls, Sheriffs are also responsible for enforcing civil orders. This challenging work involves serving legal documents like divorce papers, chasing down debts, and carrying out property evictions. The complexities of the job have increased significantly in recent years. Officers frequently find themselves managing confrontations with anti-government "sovereign citizens," as well as dealing with individuals affected by illicit drugs or experiencing mental health crises. The episode also breaks down the recent, highly successful industrial action taken by Sheriff's Officers across the state. Through collective union action and striking, members secured a vital reclassification of their roles and a significant pay raise that finally reflects the true dangers and demands of their profession. If you enjoy this please follow us on our socials at PSA CPSU NSW.

    36 min

  4. MAR 20

    Red Tape Autumn: Frontline Campaigns and Industrial Wins

    In this episode of the PSA CPSU NSW podcast, hosts Troy Wright and Jason Mountney preview the Autumn edition of Red Tape magazine, focusing heavily on the union's recent advocacy and victories for public sector workers. The discussion highlights major ongoing campaigns, including the push to replace fragmented NGO domestic violence programs with a unified, government-run service, alongside demands for better mental health protections for civilian police and corrective workers exposed to severe frontline trauma. The hosts also celebrate several significant industrial wins, such as securing substantial overtime back pay for Service NSW employees, protecting the working conditions of disability services staff transferred to NGOs, and successfully lobbying the state government to trim the bloated Senior Executive Service by 15% to keep the focus on frontline staff.

    20 min

  5. JAN 22

    Public Housing, Public Safety and Public Sector Work: Priorities for 2026

    In this episode, host Troy Wright is joined by Stewart Little for a wide-ranging discussion on the growing housing crisis facing public sector workers across New South Wales, particularly in regional and high-needs communities. They examine how the lack of affordable and secure housing is undermining workforce attraction and retention, even in areas with strong job opportunities and significant community need. The conversation also focuses on domestic and family violence, highlighting the critical role of publicly delivered, wraparound services in prevention, safety and long-term support. Troy Wright and Stewart Little reflect on the limitations of fragmented service delivery and the risks associated with outsourcing frontline services that require strong public accountability. Further discussion explores the long-term impact of privatisation on essential public services, the importance of rebuilding public sector capacity, and the case for fair wages and work value recognition across a diverse public sector workforce. The episode concludes with reflections on the major industrial, policy and service delivery challenges ahead in 2026, and the responsibility of government to support workers and the communities they serve.

    30 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    Behind the Fireline: The Hidden Workforce of the NSW Rural Fire Service

    In this episode, Assistant Secretary Troy Wright sits down with two PSA delegates from the NSW Rural Fire Service — Jim Killeen and John Osmond — to uncover the often-overlooked professional workforce that keeps the RFS running behind the scenes. They explore the essential roles staff play in community protection, risk planning, hazard reduction, volunteer support, fleet logistics, and emergency coordination across New South Wales. The conversation also dives into: The reality of year-round fire preparedness across NSWHow the RFS works with private landowners, brigades, and other agenciesThe evolution of the RFS and its unique volunteer-staff modelA major PSA win on overtime rights for RFS employeesEmerging health and safety challenges, including PFAS exposure and presumptive cancer legislationA timely and insightful discussion as NSW heads into another fire season. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the PSA CPSU NSW Podcast and follow us across all our social channels to stay updated and support the work of members across the state.

    38 min

  7. 11/17/2025

    Behind the Gates: Suzi & Judd on Working in Youth Justice

    In this episode, Assistant Secretary Troy Wright sits down with Youth Justice delegates Suzi Evans and Judd Westling to shine a light on a vital but often overlooked part of the NSW public sector. Together, they discuss what day-to-day life inside Youth Justice centres really looks like — from supporting vulnerable young people, to navigating gang influences, to preparing detainees for life after custody. Suzi and Judd speak candidly about the emotional toll and the rewards of the work, the challenges caused by payroll and leave system failures, and the urgent need for fair, timely investigations into staff matters. They also explore how under-resourced child protection systems and community services contribute to young people entering detention far too early. This conversation offers a rare, honest look into an essential frontline service — and the members who keep it running. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the PSA CPSU NSW podcast and follow us across our social platforms. Every follow and subscription helps us grow the show and continue sharing important stories from members across the state.

    30 min

  8. 11/03/2025

    Union Strong: A sit down with the General Secretary

    In this episode, host Marianne Ledic sits down with PSA CPSU NSW General Secretary and CPSU SPSF Federal Secretary, Stewart Little, to reflect on a defining year for members across New South Wales. Together, they unpack major wins in child protection, corrections, and education; the continued fight against privatisation; and the challenges facing workers — from housing affordability to workplace safety and staffing pressures. Stewart also outlines the union’s priorities for 2026, including a work value case, job security, safety reform, and the push for improved public sector resourcing. With member-led campaigns gaining momentum, this conversation highlights the strength of collective action and the central role of union solidarity in shaping a safer, fairer NSW public sector. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to PSA CPSU NSW and follow us across our social channels to stay informed on the latest news, campaigns, and workplace wins. Together, we’re stronger.

    35 min
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About

Audio stories for members of the Public Service Association of NSW and CPSU, Community and Public Sector Union, NSW Branch.

Information

  • Creator
    Public Service Association of NSW
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    208
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 PSA CPSU NSW Podcast
  • Show Website
    PSA CPSU NSW Podcast