Over the last six months Queensland public servants have had many of their rights and conditions stripped away by government legislation. The federal government can legislate to protect these rights but it will need to act soon.

Adam Bandt, the member for Melbourne has proposed a parliamentary inquiry into the rights and conditions of state public servants. The time has come to run the ruler over the way state governments have been treating their workers. A parliamentary inquiry is an important first step to the return of rights and protections to state government employees.

All Australians should enjoy the same rights at work, whether they work for a private company, small business or state government. Sadly conservative state government’s have been using their powers to strip rights away from their own workers- people like doctors, nurses, teachers, ambulance officers and fire fighters.

A parliamentary inquiry will help shine a light on what has happened in Queensland and lead to federal government action to ensure all workers are protected.