The CFMEU has offered congratulation to Chief Minister Andrew and Minister Chris Steel on the news the ACT government will spend $2.2 million insourcing 71 jobs principally performed by contractors.

The government says the flexible, insourced workforce will provide temporary traffic management for road repairs, special events and other services such as mowing and litter picking.

CFMEU ACT Secretary Zach Smith says: “This is a critical step in putting a stop to labour hire companies being allowed to undercut ACT government wages.”

Weighbridge operators at resource management centres and school crossing supervisors at schools will also become ACT government staff.

“Directly employing traffic controllers will mean potholed roads get fixed faster, potentially saving lives on Canberra’s roads,” said Mr Smith.

“Outsourcing traffic controllers led to massive delays in the ACT’s road maintenance program, which raised the risk of deadly crashes.”