FSU Life Member Peter Sutton’s 20-year banking career was abruptly cut short when, in 2006, he was hit by a car while crossing a street.
“I was returning DVDs to the video store, which shows my age a bit,” said Peter.
“It was cold and raining, and I crossed legally at the pedestrian crossing. A car hit me, I went onto the bonnet, smashed into the windshield, and fell onto the road.
“Then I somehow got up and sat on the sidewalk.”
Today, he’s able to see what he described as the ‘funny’ side of his accident.
“It is like they say in the movies where it becomes a slow-motion, frame by frame situation.
“I knew the car was going to hit me, and I thought, ‘Oh, f**k’. I was still conscious as I rolled onto the car and thought, ‘Thank God I’m still alive … but what’s going to happen when I roll off? Will the car roll over me?’
“As soon as the police came over, I rattled off my details, and for some reason felt the need to tell them, ‘But I saw the little green man!’ They took that to be a good sign that I had no head injuries.”
Tragically, Peter has suffered from chronic back pain ever since, due to disc herniation and nerve recompressions.
His condition, which prevents him from sitting for long periods of time, forced him to leave the banking sector and start a career in retail.
“It was a different time back then,” Peter explained.
“The option to work from home was not very common, other than mobile lenders, who drove around and saw people in their homes and offices.
“We didn’t have things like Vari desks to be able to move up and down, so the bank couldn’t make the accommodations in those days that might be possible today.”
Incredibly, this ordeal was not the trigger for Peter’s extensive advocacy work. Rather, it simply furthered his passion for social justice issues and health and safety, which had been in train for years.
“I’ve always had a strong social conscience and been passionate about workers’ rights, which I guess is why I got involved in the union movement in the first place.
“Health and safety was always an important issue to me, even before my accident. In my early career in the 80s and 90s, it was rare that a month would go by without a bank holdup.
“One of my colleagues was involved in three holdups across three branches. Another one of my colleagues had a gun pointed at his head.
“That’s when things like bullet-proof barriers were introduced, and it was an issue trying to get compensation for staff because it was a traumatic thing.”
Despite growing up in a household where discussions about politics were not encouraged, Peter claims his interest in politics began as a child.
“I may have been inspired by my grandfather, who was quite involved in the community,” said Peter.
“I’ve always thought, if you don’t like something, do something about it.
“It’s that old saying, ‘Be the change you want to see’.”
Early in his career, Peter saw the union movement as a vehicle for bringing about that change.
“I do believe in the saying, ‘United we stand, divided we fall’,” said Peter.
“It may seem less relevant today, but it’s still true. It’s no mistake that we have lived in a period where wages have fallen in real terms while union membership has been at all-time lows.
“These days not everyone participates in union action, so it’s much harder to achieve meaningful change.”
Peter credits his involvement in the union movement – which included serving in various positions at Victoria Trades Hall Council – as key to developing his advocacy skills.
“It was in the union movement that I learned how to organise, how to talk to people, how to access information and approach decision-makers.”
Peter has used these skills – and his lived experience – to champion improvements on a range of issues he cares deeply about, including fighting changes to Victoria’s workers compensation scheme; speaking out about regional bank closures; advocating for increases to Job Seeker, the disability support pension and the age pension; and fighting against elder abuse through his involvement with the Council of the Ageing.
He has appeared at summits and ministerial roundtables, made countless submissions to parliamentary enquiries, volunteers his time for medical research and studies, and currently sits on Centrelink’s National Reference Group of Lived Experience, which was established following the Robodebt Royal Commission.
Even his interest in local history has led to the opening of three war memorials near his hometown in regional Victoria.
Peter’s advocacy is extensive and, seemingly, never-ending. Recently, he was recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) – though to suggest this represents a culmination of Peter’s public service would be incorrect.
“I find myself busier today than ever before,” said Peter, adding it was a surprise to receive his OAM.
“I’ve nominated about 50 people myself over the years, but I never expected anyone would nominate me.
“I don’t find it hard making phone calls to politicians or sending emails. I don’t find speaking on panels difficult. I don’t feel like I’ve done much.”
Of course, his voice for those who struggle to speak for themselves has been, and remains, incredibly influential. Fortunately, there are no signs of Peter slowing down.
As a current recipient of the disability support pension, and a former recipient of Job Seeker, Peter said society had a long way to go to break down the stigmas associated with Australia’s social safety net. Doing so remains a major focus for Peter.
“There’s a perception that people on Job Seeker are lazy and dole bludgers.
“The reality is that the largest demographic of people on Job Seeker are people over 50, many of them are women who are homeless due to domestic violence or relationship breakdowns, and 40% of everyone on Job Seeker has an underlining medical condition.”
And through his lived experience, Peter hopes to create further awareness around hidden disabilities.
“So much of my disability is invisible, because I have good days and bad days,” he said.
“Even 20 years later, I’m quite reluctant to cross the road unless a car is far away. If I see something on television that I wasn’t expecting, it can trigger a PTSD response.”
Despite these setbacks, Peter’s drive to serve his community and champion a fairer society remains as strong as ever.
Congratulations, Peter, on your OAM – an honourable recognition well deserved!
Union Shopper helps you to make the most of your FSU membership with…
The Federal Government has quietly tabled its response to the recommendations from the…
From today (1 July), your employer is required to pay your superannuation contributions…
