Newman Government plans to ban political slogans from public servants' desks Together Queensland union state secretary Alex Scott. Picture: Mark Calleja Source: The Courier-Mail THE Newman Government's war with unions has hit workers' desks with a proposal to ban the display of political messages during election periods. New laws will also give the Director-General of Justice and Attorney-General the power to investigate unions with maximum penalties for "dishonesty" lifted from $22,000 to $340,000. The legislation will restrict union access to government offices, force union officials to ballot members on any political expenditure above $1000 and make unions declare political affiliations in any advertising. Salaries paid to a union's top 10 officials will have to be made public along with details of any gifts or hospitality provided. A ban on political posters or stickers on public servants' desks is also being considered, with offenders to face disciplinary action. Together Queensland union state secretary Alex Scott said it highlighted the "paranoia of the LNP" about what happens in an election campaign. But Premier Campbell Newman made no apology for the union crackdown saying officials should have to meet the same standards as others in public office. "I think it's fair to say, it's very similar to public money when you're receiving contributions from your members (and) you should have to comply with standards of openness and accountability," Mr Newman said. He cited allegations against Federal MP Craig Thomson, a former Labor member accused of misusing union funds, as justification for tougher laws. Mr Thomson has repeatedly denied the claims. Mr Scott said he also wanted to improve union transparency but most of the legislative changes appeared to be more about reducing public servants' access to industrial representation, and providing "financial obstacles" at a time they were protesting privatisation plans. "It would be very inappropriate for department officers such as the Attorney-General's Director-General to interfere with (union) activities," Mr Scott said. Together was planning to escalate its public service pay rise campaign by targeting the "one person who can give it to them," Premier Newman. "That is why we will campaign in public sector workplaces and the electorate of Ashgrove to force the Premier to stand by his word and deliver a pay increase for public servants," Mr Scott said. Last month the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission found it did not have the authority to grant an interim pay rise of 2.35 per cent for the state's 60,000 core public servants. Together is appealing.