NSW Government rejects public servants’ bid for Hewlett Packard boycott over Israel

Public servants have been dealt a blow in their bid for state government contracts with Hewlett Packard to be torn up over the company’s alleged links with Israel.

The NSW Government has shot down calls by public servant campaigners for a boycott on computing giant Hewlett Packard over the company’s alleged links with Israel.

Union members and public servants of a group called PSA for Palestine have been dealt a blow in their bid to have state government contracts with HP to be torn up and to win the right to refuse to use the company’s computers in government workplaces.

More than 800 people had signed the pro-Palestine union group’s petition, which called for the government to immediately case entering into contracts with HP and offer “protections for public sector workers” so they could refuse to administer HP contracts and operate HP computers.

The petition, tabled in parliament by state Greens MP Jenny Leong, claimed the NSW Government had awarded HP and related entities at least $24m in government contracts.

“These contracts fund HP, which in turn supports Israel to continue its system of apartheid against the Palestinians,” the petition claimed.

Greens MP Jenny Leong, pictured right at a pro-Palestinian protest march in Sydney, tabled the petition in parliament.

“The NSW Government must procure goods and services ethically and refuse to administer contracts with companies facilitating apartheid, occupation and genocide,” the petition added.

But NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos has now thrown cold water over the petitioners’ demands, stating the government has a commitment to transparent and ethical procurement when considering contracts.

NSW Finance Minister Courtney Houssos.

Ms Houssos did not want to comment directly on the petitioners claims, fearing doing so may inflame the issue.

However, Ms Houssos said HP’s ethical environment and governance credentials were considered as part of standard procurement practices.

PSA for Palestine’s failed campaign follows several Sydney councils, including Canterbury-Bankstown and the City of Sydney, taking steps towards scrapping contracts with companies with links to Israel.

Australian Jewish Association chief executive Robert Gregory believes public servants who are “spreading hatred and division” should be removed from their roles.

A flyer produced by the "PSA For Palestine" group for an event which promoted a boycott of HP in government contracts. Picture: Supplied

“Government employees serve all Australians regardless of race or religion,” he said.

“Public servants should focus on doing their jobs and not on spreading division in society.

“If someone feels uncomfortable in their role, they should resign.”

Publicly available tenders show the state government contracts with HP include a $736,902 agreement for the computing company to provide software support and maintenance services for NSW Health.

The company has also had contracts to help develop the state government’s e-health strategy.

Hewlett Packard was contacted for comment but did not provide a response prior to publication.

Ms Leong has also been contacted for comment.

The Public Service Association has distanced itself from the petition launched by PSA for Palastina, saying it was no way connected to the group.