Nicole Jess, PSA President

01/10/2026

11/09/2026

I attended Mary Wade Correctional Centre to present a plaque to First Class Correctional Officer David Vega.

Dave started his career in 1976 at Long Bay Correctional Centre. He has worked in numerous centres, and he reached the rank of Senior Assistant Superintendent.

He was my staff officer when I was at Silverwater Women's (Mulawa) Correctional Centre. He was caring, supportive and a true gentleman when dealing with staff and he has not changed at all.

It was an honour to present him with his 50yr membership plaque. To hear from his current colleagues about his positive and high work ethic after 50yrs was beautiful to hear plus some of the old stories he told had us laughing.

He is showing no signs of retirement yet. His advice for his longevity in the job is don't bring your personal problems into work and don't take your professional problems home. Be respectful and positive to staff and inmates and it will go a long way.

Thanks for your service, Dave Vega. Thank you for your professionalism and for your support and guidance you gave me when we worked together and who knows there may be a 60yr plaque.

08/09/2026

Welcome to PSA CPSU NSW Women's Conference 2026

03/09/2026

An increasing number of Australians face the prospect of renting for life. About one in four Australian households rent privately and it’s no longer considered a stepping stone to homeownership.

Experts are warning more Australians are facing the prospect of ren...

23/07/2026

𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐬 𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 "𝐭𝐰𝐨-𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭" 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐬 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 "𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭".

Her comments betray a profound misunderstanding of domestic and family violence and the realities faced by victim-survivors every day.

Women don't stay because they "put up with it". They stay because coercive control, fear, financial dependence, trauma, threats against their children, housing insecurity and a lack of safe alternatives can make leaving the most dangerous moment in an abusive relationship.

Telling women to simply walk away ignores the fact that many are murdered while trying to do exactly that.

If Senator Hanson is serious about reducing domestic violence, she should stop blaming victims and start advocating for real solutions.

That means:

• Stronger government oversight and accountability of the domestic and family violence system.

• Government-run DV services working alongside specialist organisations so no woman or child falls through the cracks.

• Earlier intervention with men using violence, including evidence-based behaviour change programs and intensive support while offenders are on remand and before they return to the community.

• Long-term prevention that addresses abusive behaviour.

Victims of domestic and family violence deserve a coordinated, accountable government-led response that works with and strengthens the specialist NGO sector, not one that leaves them searching for help, turned away or put on waiting lists.

The One Nation leader says women should not "put up with" domestic violence, as she highlights the cost-of-living pressures on families.

14/07/2026

It was great to catch up with members at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo and congratulate James on being unanimously elected as a new PSA workplace delegate.

James, a Platypus Keeper, now joins Christina, an Elephant Keeper, as the two delegates representing their colleagues at Taronga Western Plains Zoo. Workplace delegates play an important role in supporting their workmates and ensuring members have a strong voice in their workplace.

Our public services are incredibly diverse, and I'm always proud to meet the people behind them. The conservation work our zoos do, along with the education they provide to local communities and visitors, is an important public service that deserves to be recognised.

Congratulations again, James, and thank you to all our members at Taronga Western Plains Zoo for everything you do.

11/07/2026

Great turnout of PSA members for the General Assistants and Farm Assistants Conference in Dubbo.

22/06/2026

Nicole Jess, PSA President and the PSA's Women's Officer Simone Scalmer with union delegates Laura Walker, Daniel Shorter and members from 𝐊𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐬𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬.

Members discussed the lack of local domestic violence services in their area and welcomed the PSA's campaign 𝗗𝗩 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀, which is asking the government to expand the Mt Druitt Family Violence Service model to regional NSW to support front line workers and victims of DV.