Hello all,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people who have taken the time to send me messages of support in regard to the issue in the media at the moment over the department trying to stop me from making media comments.

I have been contacted via my home email, work email, cell phone and CANZ office. It has been overwhelming and most appreciated. It is times like this that remind me of why I volunteered for this role as union president; it is great to see the unity across the country.

Unlike popular belief CANZ and Mr Matthews are still on speaking terms and are still getting on with the business of the department and CANZ.

I would like to take this opportunity to point out that all though this issue seems a very large one because of the media coverage, it is just a small part of our business of representing you our members.

We have CIE wage talks, restructuring at IS, muster talks with PPS, ratification rounds with AP and many other day to day issues that CANZ deal with. This is just a small thing that we hope to have resolved shortly.

I have a meeting with Mr Matthews tomorrow about this matter and all going well we will have a better understanding of the issues and possibly even a resolution to the issue.

As always I will endeavor to keep you all informed of developments and once again I would like to thank all those who have offered their support to me over the last week or so.

Beven Hanlon
CANZ National President