The Public Service Association (PSA) is urging the Government to follow the lead of their Australian counterparts and direct public service agencies to encourage working from home to conserve fuel and reduce commuting costs for workers.
The Australian Government has today launched a $20 million advertising campaign urging people to drive less, use public transport and conserve fuel. Australia also last week announced it will halve its fuel excise on petrol and diesel to 26.3 cents per litre for three months to June 30.
“With the threat of fuel shortages remaining high, the Government should be doing everything it can to reduce unnecessary travel. Instead, it’s still clinging to its failed back-to-the-office agenda,” said PSA National Secretary, Fleur Fitzsimons.
“Every public servant who can work from home and who does so instead of driving, is one fewer car on the road burning fuel we can’t afford to waste. This is about conserving a scarce resource as well as easing the financial pain on workers whose commuting costs have surged by $40 to $50 a week.
“We are in a fuel crisis. A temporary, sensible increase in working from home would ease pressure on our fuel supply, take pressure off household budgets, all while keeping the public service running.
“The Government needs to look across the Tasman and do all it can right now, as this crisis shows no sign of easing soon,” she said.
