Nadine Flood being interviewed after the 2011/12 Budget was released.
For many CPSU members, any Budget night pain had already been felt with the early announcement of an increase to the so-called efficiency dividend.
The efficiency dividend will increase to 1.5 per cent from 1 July, cutting a combined $1.1 billion from the public service in 2011/12 and 2012/13.
The news signalled a hit for many APS agencies, particularly for those who had been cutting staff before the announcement.
“You can’t cut $1.1 billion without losing jobs or services,” CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood said.
The Budget projected that overall staffing levels in the APS would remain the same.
“The truth is that the full impact of this budget will only be felt when agencies begin to implement the efficiency dividend by making cuts to staff and services.”
Early Budget detail
Other Budget decisions will impact individual agencies. Some can chalk up a win, while others will struggle to deliver services and be forced to cut jobs. For others it was a mixed bag.
WINNERS
Australian War Memorial
The AWM will receive $33.9 million over four years in additional resourcing. This will allow the AWM to maintain its current level of activities.
Projected additional 20 jobs or 7.32% increase in staffing levels.
Comcare
Comcare to receive $14.7 million over two years to implement harmonised OHS laws, which includes $7.1 million in capital funding, to develop legislation, regulations and codes of practice that mirror the model Work Health and Safety package.
AusAID
AusAID is projected to gain 55 jobs (5.4%) in 2011-12
AusAID’s budget will be increased by funding for various new and existing aid projects through a number of budget measures.
Australian Communications and Media Authority
ACMA is projected to gain 28 jobs (4.6%) in 2011-12
ACMA will receive $3.4 million over two years for a revenue reassurance project as well as funding to assist with the digital television switchover and to develop and monitor standards and codes for the National Broadband Network.
Department of Infrastructure and Transport
DIT will receive $36.762 million in 2011-12 in new budget expense measures for Nation Building and other programs.
Despite a Machinery of Government (MoG) change which shifted the local government "outcome" to Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, the Department will gain 18 jobs overall.
LOSERS
Department of Human Services portfolio
DHS portfolio projected to lose 1,256 jobs in 2011-12
As part of Service Delivery Reform, there will be a new organisational structure for the Human Services portfolio that amalgamates the business operations of Medicare Australia, Centrelink and Child Support Agency and redesigns the way work is managed and distributed. The new business structure will generate savings of $341.3 million over four years.
Department of Health and Ageing
Despite being a key portfolio with new budget measures announced, e.g. mental health, staffing levels will decrease in 2011-12.
Department of Health and Ageing’s restructure will cost 420 jobs over two years.
Administrative changes across the health portfolio will save $53.5 million over four years which will be redirected to other government priorities.
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
Despite being a key portfolio in this year’s budget with a number of measures around training, workforce participation and schools, there will be staffing cuts in all areas of DEEWR.
DEEWR is projected to lose 270 jobs in 2011-12 (5.3%) (note – it is still unclear if any of these positions will be moving to the new VET Regulator which is creating 155 jobs).
• The portfolio as a whole is projected to lose 125 jobs in 2011 - 12
Defence
Defence will have a net reduction of 1,000 in the overall growth forecast for the civilian Defence workforce over the period 2011‑12 to 2013‑14.
Smaller agencies, particularly cultural agencies will be affected by the increased efficiency dividend
No new Budget measures other than the increased efficiency dividend which has been passed onto agencies such as National Library of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, National Archives of Australia, National Museum of Australia.
NMA projected to lose eight jobs in 2011-12.
NLA projected to lose 12 jobs in 2011-12.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission
ASIC projected to lose 155 jobs in 2011-12
CUTS ON CUTS
These Departments are facing cuts on top of the efficiency dividend
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Cuts of $7 million over four years through reduced the administrative costs of grant programs.
Cuts to corporate support, policy and program design and service delivery functions by $198.2 million over four years.
DIAC had an overall increase of 285 jobs, however this included an additional 509 jobs in 'Visa compliance and status resolution'. All other outcomes will receive significant job cuts.
Attorney-General’s
AGD will face additional efficiencies of $2 million over four years.
AGD will lose 39 jobs (2.7%). However, 14 of those positions are due to one of the "outcomes" being transferred to the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government.
Despite an overall increase in expenses by $11.993 million in 2011-12 due to new budget measures, the departmental expenses (which fund staff and office supplies) have been reduced by $15.5 million (6.4 %).
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Additional efficiencies of 32.8 million over four years through ‘rationalisation of corporate functions’.
Despite this, there is an overall increase in jobs (+46) and departmental expenses in 2011-12 due to a number of other budget measures for DAFF in 2011-12.
Comments(4)
Posted by:L from ACT - 30 May 2011, 9:31pm Australia`s level of national debt is nothing compared to the rest of our OECD peers and contributing to overseas assistance is an important part of being a good international citizen. It also serves our national interest. It is a higher cost in the long run to wait for the situation in neighbouring developing countries to reach crisis point that not only affects our broader national interest in the region, but also requires Australia to then step in to clean it all up.
The attack on politicians` so-called perks is getting boring. I manage political delegations all the time I know of not a single one who has ever used a limo. Business class travel is standard across the public sector and the private sector and so it should be. They travel at with demanding schedules, often travelling on weekends and away from their families without overtime allowances, they often get off an overnight flight and launch straight int a 6am start, and never see anything except the inside of an airport terminal or a conference room for the entire visit. Public officials whether bureacrats or politicians pay for their own lunches except when representing Australia in business meetings - but if you want Australia to give up extending hospitality to dignified world leaders and influential businessmen, expect to kiss goodbye to Australia`s influence in the world in negotiating outcomes for Australian jobs etc. We may as well close up our shutters and ignore the rest of the world and see where that gets us economically and with our national debt situation.
Posted by:Donna Rowe - 20 May 2011, 10:35am How can the Government cut the budget on Health and Aging which is Australian based to give to AusAid overseas. do they not put the walfare of the Australian people first. I cannot beleive that we are so far in debt as a country and still we are giving money overseas. Perhpas all politicians need to give a little. Lets say Economy airfares, not limos, no pay increases, no lunchs and certainly no weddings at the tax payer expense. If they expect the government worker to do more with less staff and resources then they need to also give up all of the bonus payments and privleges as mentioned above to save jobs and services and of course the Australian population.
Posted by:Mike Nelson - 20 May 2011, 8:06am Where does this leave Australian Customs & Border Protection Service?
Posted by:Cam from SA - 20 May 2011, 12:47am Isn't it amazing what morons dictate where budget cuts are made. Two of the most important areas of Australian society get budget cuts: The Aged - we are an ageing population - hence the skills shortages and "importing" skilled people from OS that WE PAY FOR!!!
Second and more important: Mental health - one of the biggest problems facing Australia and they cut services to an already cut to the bone system!
Are these decisions makers just so out of touch that they want to be either the Prime Minister or the SA Premier???
Unbelievable - if it wasn't so serious we all just laugh at their stupidity!
C:-)
Australia`s level of national debt is nothing compared to the rest of our OECD peers and contributing to overseas assistance is an important part of being a good international citizen. It also serves our national interest. It is a higher cost in the long run to wait for the situation in neighbouring developing countries to reach crisis point that not only affects our broader national interest in the region, but also requires Australia to then step in to clean it all up. The attack on politicians` so-called perks is getting boring. I manage political delegations all the time I know of not a single one who has ever used a limo. Business class travel is standard across the public sector and the private sector and so it should be. They travel at with demanding schedules, often travelling on weekends and away from their families without overtime allowances, they often get off an overnight flight and launch straight int a 6am start, and never see anything except the inside of an airport terminal or a conference room for the entire visit. Public officials whether bureacrats or politicians pay for their own lunches except when representing Australia in business meetings - but if you want Australia to give up extending hospitality to dignified world leaders and influential businessmen, expect to kiss goodbye to Australia`s influence in the world in negotiating outcomes for Australian jobs etc. We may as well close up our shutters and ignore the rest of the world and see where that gets us economically and with our national debt situation.
How can the Government cut the budget on Health and Aging which is Australian based to give to AusAid overseas. do they not put the walfare of the Australian people first. I cannot beleive that we are so far in debt as a country and still we are giving money overseas. Perhpas all politicians need to give a little. Lets say Economy airfares, not limos, no pay increases, no lunchs and certainly no weddings at the tax payer expense. If they expect the government worker to do more with less staff and resources then they need to also give up all of the bonus payments and privleges as mentioned above to save jobs and services and of course the Australian population.
Where does this leave Australian Customs & Border Protection Service?
Isn't it amazing what morons dictate where budget cuts are made. Two of the most important areas of Australian society get budget cuts: The Aged - we are an ageing population - hence the skills shortages and "importing" skilled people from OS that WE PAY FOR!!! Second and more important: Mental health - one of the biggest problems facing Australia and they cut services to an already cut to the bone system! Are these decisions makers just so out of touch that they want to be either the Prime Minister or the SA Premier??? Unbelievable - if it wasn't so serious we all just laugh at their stupidity! C:-)