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Labor leader Jared Cassidy has made the case for a “big workforce” at Brisbane City Council, saying local government would reduce its reliance on contracting if his party won a majority at the 2028 election.
The Deagon Ward councillor addressed hundreds of party faithful at the annual Queensland Labor conference on Saturday.
“Brisbane is a big city, it’s time we had a council that thinks big,” he said.
“We need a big workforce that meets the needs of everyday people.
“Labor thinks the time of contracting out as a first option in Brisbane should come to an end.
“We think a big council like Brisbane should employ people in secure jobs to mow our parks, trim trees, clear drains, repair roads, and work in the community building a better society.
“This isn’t just good for council workers, it’s good for the community to see their council taxes at work … when workers win, the city wins.”
Brisbane City Council employs more than 7000 permanent staff, but it also outsources work – including operation of the ferry network – to third-party contractors.
In a statement after his speech, Cassidy did not identify the specific roles he would bring in-house but said broadly reducing reliance on contractors would provide better services for less.
“We know council is contracting out to for-profit companies, returning money to shareholders and cutting corners.
“This is why rates, fees, and charges go up and up year after year but there’s less being delivered in your community.
“Bringing the basics back in-house will deliver better value for ratepayers and better conditions for workers.”
The Labor leader has consistently argued privatisation and outsourcing are a false economy that do not offer residents value for money.
Mayor Adrian Schrinner and the LNP say council maximises investment where it is needed and keeps the burden on ratepayers lower than it would be under an alternative administration.
Cassidy has previously confirmed to this masthead that he is weighing up a run for mayor at the 2028 election.
In Saturday’s speech, he accused the LNP of being too cosy with developers and big business.
The Labor leader said his party would set affordable housing targets in suburban renewal precincts and advocate for more government funding for public and social housing if it took control of the council chamber.
“I think, in many ways, 2028 will be a year that is more consequential than ever for our party, our movement, and Australia,” he said.
“It’s more important than ever for us to be unified, coordinated and ruthless in our pursuit of better outcomes for working people.
“We’re being bold, and we want to be bolder.”
State leader Steven Miles spoke earlier in the day, attempting to link Crisafulli’s LNP to One Nation by arguing it would need to form a coalition with the right-wing party to retain government at the next election.
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