Episode Details

In this episode, Troy Wright (Assistant General Secretary of the PSA NSW) sits down with his South Australian counterpart, Celia Brougham (Assistant General Secretary of the PSA SA), to discuss one of the most significant union victories in recent Australian history.

When Celia was elected in July 2025, she inherited a dire situation: a workforce that had endured years of stagnant wages and a government proposal that failed to meet the soaring cost of living. This conversation tracks the strategic escalation of industrial action—from regional rallies in Port Augusta to massive marches through the heart of Adelaide—that eventually forced the Malinauskas government to the table.

We dive into the "Justice Focus" strategy, where correctional officers, home detention monitors, and sheriff's officers effectively brought the legal system to a halt to secure a fair deal for 40,000 public sector workers. We also discuss the ongoing battle against prison privatisation and why the fight for public services is more critical now than ever.

Produced by: Aaron Hewitt

Executive Producer: Marianne Ledic

Recorded on: Gadigal Land (Sydney