The ASU SA+NT Branch stands with our members at Bedford Industries
31 July 2025
The past fortnight has brought some significant news for Bedford. We understand this news would have been challending and unsettling for members and we want to assure our members that there are decisive steps underway to stabilise the organisation.
The ASU has been in contact with the State Government who have provided us with an update on how they are ensuring Bedford has the support to turn around its operations and support staff and clients.
Minister for Human Services Nat Cook MP has provided this update:
I am writing to provide an update on the Labor Government’s $15 million support package for Bedford to assist in discussions with your members.
Events have moved very quickly with the final support package only being agreed on Sunday and this impacted our ability to have broader discussions with other stakeholders while critical legal and financial matters were resolved.
As a government, we appreciate the concerns caused by recent circumstances and we acted to provide confidence for all those involved. I am grateful for the important work you do in supporting your members, particularly during times of uncertainty like those facing Bedford.
Without the State Government’s intervention, Bedford would have been placed into voluntary administration and it was expected this would have quickly led to the liquidation of Bedford’s assets and shutdown of operations with major impacts on staff, clients and their families. Even with our financial support, there are significant challenges ahead and the State Government has required immediate actions of the Bedford Board to provide stability and work toward a stronger financial position, including:
• Enacting a change of executive leadership, with McGrathNicol appointed as Restructuring Advisers to Bedford, reporting directly to the Board;
• Appointing Mr Bruce Carter AO as the Government’s independent observer to the Bedford Board;
• Using government support to meet key liabilities including employee expenses;
• Taking actions recommended by McGrathNicol to stabilise Bedford’s business;
• Under the advice of McGrathNicol, developing a credible financial and business plan for Bedford to return to long term financial sustainability; and
• Reporting regularly to the South Australian Government on Bedford’s financial position.
Our intervention provides time for Bedford to turn around its operations, or in the event it is unable to, to work with the Federal Government on a plan to support its clients and staff. While the State Government has stepped in to help, Bedford’s services are funded and regulated by the Federal Government via the Department of Social Services for supported employment and the NDIS for other services.
It needs to be clear that success is not guaranteed. There will be difficult decisions ahead for Bedford if it is to turn the business around.
This support from the Malinauskas Government represents the best chance for Bedford to avoid a sudden and unplanned administration which would have left hundreds of South Australians without employment and support.
The problems at Bedford are not of the State Government’s making but, without our urgent intervention, hundreds of South Australian workers and people living with disability would have had their worlds turned upside down.
That is not a situation that the Malinauskas Government was prepared to accept. When people are suffering, we act.
We expect Bedford’s new management to include employees and their representatives in discussions about the organisation’s future and, where appropriate, we will keep you informed of progress
While Bedford still has more to do to ensure a strong and stable future, the ASU welcomes the State-government led package. We will continue to be in close discussion with the Minister throughout this process and share updates with members as they come through to us.
We want Staff at Bedford to know that the ASU is by your side. Please don’t hesitate to share any updates or concerns with us directly, your voice is essential as we advocate for our members.
It is more important than ever that workers at Bedford stand together in union so that we can all support and protect one another through this difficult time. if you would like to join go to
asusant.com/sant/join
To speak with your Organiser, Kierran Crump, contact
[email protected] or (08) 8363 1322.