A PROPOSED pay freeze for the state's public servants will "rob regional workers to pay for Sydney vanity projects" according to Member for Murray Helen Dalton.
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Mrs Dalton, a member of the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party, had a video conference with NSW government treasurer Dominic Perrottet on Thursday morning in what she said was a bid to drum up support for the proposed freeze.
The freeze, which would apply to professions such as teachers, nurses and police, would be in place for 12 months when their awards and agreements expire.
Mrs Dalton said she wasn't convinced by the treasurer's arguments during their meeting.
"He told us he needs to save money to invest in jobs growth," she said.
"So why not scrap the re-build of ANZ Stadium in Sydney, rather than cutting the real pay of nurses in Griffith and Leeton?
"The best way to stimulate the regional economy is to put money in the pockets of our frontline workers.
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"If we let the NSW government keep the money, they'll squander it on useless rubbish in Sydney."
The decision to freeze the pay of public sector workers may be overturned in the NSW Upper House next week, where the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party shares the balance of power.
"Our party will vote in support of nurses, teachers, police and all frontline workers," she said.
"It's just disgusting the NSW government now want to cut the real pay of nurses who earn a total salary of $60,000.
"I've spoken to nurses and teachers in Griffith, Leeton and Deniliquin who are devastated by this proposal.
"These frontline workers have got us through the worst pandemic in a generation."
That sentiment is shared by NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association Griffith branch secretary Kristy Wilson.
"We are very disappointed at the lack of respect being shown to frontline workers, we are supporting our communities through this pandemic and now ask the community to support us," she said.
"Nurses have been redeployed to new areas and rapidly re-skilled to provide quality care to our patients, and this is how the government repays us."