Our work, our voice

Hosted by Health and Community Services Union (Tasmania)

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Aug 2026

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About the show

We're a community of over 11,000 Tasmanians working in aged care, disability services, health and community services. Authorised by State Secretary Robbie Moore.

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53 recent

August 21, 202614 min

PLSL: Long overdue for Tasmania's care and community workers

Moving between employers is common in Tasmania’s aged care, disability and community services sectors, and often outside a worker’s control. They shouldn’t lose their long service leave entitlements because of it. Workers in some of these sectors in other states have portable long service leave, and it’s time Tasmania caught up. In this podcast, HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore and organiser Chelsea Menzie explain why we’re fighting for portable long service leave for workers in aged care, disability and community services, and why the current system is failing them.

April 29, 20266 min

Tasmanian paramedics call for government action

We recently spoke with Clinical Support Officer and Intensive Care Paramedic Nat about the ongoing industrial action by Ambulance Tasmania staff as the government refusesto address fair pay, safer rosters and conditions. Nat’s message to the government is simple but powerful: come and experience the conditions workers are dealing with for yourself. “I would love to see any of the government (ministers) come and work with us and see what we face day to day … come andspend a night shift, come and spend half a night shift with us and see what happens and the conditions we work in.”

April 23, 20266 min

Tasmania's paramedics demand change

Paramedics show up for us every single day, often exhausted,often understaffed. Community Paramedic Gabby says it plainly: what we have right now is not sustainable. That's why Ambulance Tasmania staff are currently takingindustrial action, standing up for fairer pay, rosters, and conditions. They deserve better. So does the community.

April 20, 20268 min

The human cost of Ambulance Tasmania's crisis

As the government continues to drag its feet on fair pay, rosters and working conditions for Ambulance Tasmania staff,Simone Haigh – Paramedic, HACSU Junior VP, and President of the Ambulance Employee Sub-branch, talks us through the psychological damage current working conditions are causing, and the long-term harm that will continue unless thegovernment steps in and fixes a system that is broken. “It's been a breaking point for a while, but now it's really starting to hurt … We had one week where at one point during the day there was only one intern on for a whole night shift in the north at Launceston.”

April 16, 20268 min

Hands off Clare House!

In this podcast, we sit down with Social Worker Katie, andClinical Nurse Consultant Jacinta, from Clare House to talk about what’s really at stake for Tasmania’s young people. CYMHS is a lifeline for children, young people and familiesacross the state, delivering critical mental health care through a dedicated, multidisciplinary team. But workers are deeply concerned that the proposed move away from Clare House could undermine the quality of care. The current site provides a purpose-built, therapeuticenvironment, with green space, natural light and a calm, welcoming atmosphere that supports recovery. An office-based CBD location simply cannot replicate the care and much-needed serenity required for the young people. This is about protecting safe, accessible, and effectivemental health care for young Tasmanians. If the topics discussed in this vodcast have caused you anyconcern or distress, please know help is available: Access Mental Health phoneline: 1800 332 388 Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14 Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800

April 16, 20266 min

Ambulance Tasmania Industrial Action - Jan Pur, Paramedic

HACSU members at Ambulance Tasmania are taking industrialaction after long-stalled negotiations. In this podcast, Paramedic Jan Pur speaks of the anger andfrustration members are feeling, the reality of the conditions they are working under every day, the risks this is creating for the public, and the psychological and moral injuries many are carrying as a result. "On a daily basis, the community has a single officerrock up to their house if called for an ambulance, they see an ambulance with a stretcher, and it's a single officer." "Patients are being really poorly looked after. We aregiving them the best that we can, but the best that we can isn't really the best that we should be doing."

February 11, 202611 min

How HACSU members saved Tolosa Street Adult Mental Health Service

When the Tasmanian state government wanted to sell off Tolosa Street Adult Mental Health Service in 2025, workers took a stand and said no. It wasn’t their jobs they were worried about; they were concerned about ensuring the essential service they provide remained available to the whole community. They stood together, took action, and forced the government to back down. They showed that when workers unite and fight for what matters, we can protect our public health and community services. In this vodcast, we sit down with Tolosa St workers Paige and Louise and HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore to talk through the campaign that led to one of the big HACSU wins of 2025.

September 30, 202513 min

Why the Hobart Clinic needs to stay open

Mental health services in Tasmania are already hard to access, but we’re about to lose another 27 mental health beds as the Hobart Clinic is set to close its doors at the end of October. 2025. This is a devasting blow to both patients and staff, and it will place lives at risk. In this podcast, we hear from Mick, a former patient, and HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore on the life-saving services the Clinic provides and why the Health Minister Bridget Archer should step up and keep the Hobart Clinic open.

May 15, 20259 min

Save Tolosa Street Adult Mental Health Service

We're fighting to protect essential mental health services in Tasmania as the Liberal government moves to privatise Tolosa Street Adult Mental Health Service. In this podcast, HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore explains the impact the sale of this vital service will have on patients, workers and the community – and how you can help our campaign.

May 15, 20259 min

HACSU's campaign for Reproductive Health Leave

Reproductive health impacts everyone. That’s why we're campaigning for 12 days paid Reproductive Health Leave for ALL workers under the National Employment Standards. In a podcast recorded at last year’s HACSU Delegates Conference, we spoke with Kate Marshall, the Senior National Assistant Secretary of the HSU, who has been leading the charge to make RHL a reality.