‘Politicised’: Retiring union leader Tom Lynch lashes MPs for ‘twee slogans’

As he leaves the state’s biggest public sector union Tom Lynch has some strong views about politics and former Premiers. Check out his parting shots.

All members of the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian parliament after the 2024 state election. Question time in the Tasmanian Parliament. Picture: Chris Kidd

Tasmania’s public service has been “politicised” with ministers using their departments for their own political advantage, the former head of the state’s biggest public sector union says.

Tom Lynch, who is leaving after 25 years with the Community and Public Service Union and negotiating with seven Premiers, says politicians are more focused on serving their political party than the electorate they represent.

“Few politicians look beyond the immediate news cycle, so decisions have a short-term focus, and real vision has been replaced by twee slogans,” he said.

“Our public service has been politicised.

“Rather than setting goals for Agencies and allocating funding to achieve those goals, Ministers now get themselves involved in operational decisions which leads to huge waste and mismanagement.

“Appointment decisions about far too many public service roles go to Cabinet which often results in political allies being appointed rather than the most competent candidate.

“Governments have built huge media units that censor everything which means Agencies can’t communicate directly with Tasmanians about the services they provide without political spin being applied.

Assistant Secretary of CPSU Natalie Jones and general secretary Thirza White with Tom Lynch who is retiring from the CPSU. Picture: Linda Higginson

“Frank, fearless and honest advice from a well-resourced public sector has been replaced by sycophantic thought bubbles from advisers who often have no practical experience in the areas they are advising.”

Mr Lynch worries fewer people see the public sector as a “long-term career choice”.

The private sector, he says, offers workers more flexibility, workload pressures are “less extreme”, and are more likely to reward excellence and address bullying and discrimination.

“All of this has led to a recruitment and retention crisis that is putting at risk the services Tasmanians relay on,” Mr Lynch said.

Former Tasmanian Premiers, Will Hodgman, Michael Field, Paul Lennon and Peter Gutwein. Picture: Chris Kidd

Of the Premiers he has locked horns with, he says the late Jim Bacon was a “once in a generation leader”.

“He had vision, courage and he never lost contact with workers and what it was like surviving on a basic wage.

“He brought people together and gave Tasmanians a new pride in who they were and what our state was capable of.

“I think our state would be a better place today if we hadn’t lost Jim so early.”

The late former Premier Jim Bacon.

Ex Labor Premier of Tasmania David Bartlett.

Mr Lynch also singles out David Bartlett as someone who could have been a great Premier.

“Like Jim he is someone who has a natural inclination to bring people together rather than divide them, to see both sides of an issue and to remember every decision impacts real people.

“I thought the Premier who grew the most in office was Peter Gutwein.

“As Treasurer he was the typical bean counter but when he became Premier his view widened, and we saw that he cared deeply for the people of this state.”

Mr Lynch says union membership has dropped because of “concerted attacks by neoliberals since the 1980s”.

“Hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent undermining our reputations and rafts of legislation has been passed to weaken our effectiveness.

“Unionised workplaces have higher salaries, are safer and workers get a say in change.”