That case will now be heard on Christmas Eve, along with the government’s separate application for the action to be terminated or suspended on economic harm or public safety grounds.
Loading
The government warned in its filings to the commission that major train delays on New Year’s Eve caused by industrial action risked causing deadly crowd crushes and antisocial behaviour among large numbers of revellers frustrated by disrupted services.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb also said she had “grave concerns” for Sydneysiders’ safety during the celebrations. Webb said on Friday she could not rule out calling off the event if the 250,000 people expected to visit the city were unable to get home safely. “I haven’t ruled out that I will recommend to [the] government that we cancel the fireworks; it’s that serious,” she said.
Rail Tram and Bus Union state secretary Toby Warnes accused the government of “resorting to hysteria” and having public servants “come out and tell fibs about the effect” of industrial action.
RTBU NSW Secretary Toby Warnes says industrial action won’t cause a safety risk on New Year’s Eve.Credit: Dion Georgopoulos
“The information that the police commissioner has in terms of the disruptions is not likely to be correct,” he said.
“The NSW government has resorted to scaring the people of NSW because it wants to pursue a particular industrial strategy and support its case in the Fair Work Commission, and has asked the police commissioner to come out and up the rhetoric about New Year’s Eve and cancelling fireworks.”
Peak body Business NSW estimated cancelling the fireworks would cost the economy $98 million.
City of Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said she would request an urgent meeting with the premier if the police formally recommend cancelling fireworks.
Read the full article here
