Union call for clarity over PS job cut rumours: media release
31 August 2012, 4:26pm
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has called on the Government to confirm it is not planning large scale job cuts.
The union's call follows media reports today suggesting the Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) statement in November will contain major cuts to service and jobs.
CPSU National Secretary Nadine Flood said "We're calling on Government to confirm there are no plans underway to make massive cuts to the public service.
"We have some doubts about the media reports. If there was a major culling process underway in every Department, our members would have heard about it.
"It is important that the Government moves swiftly to clarify the media reports.
"We know the Budget process will be tough because revenue is declining and the Government is committed to delivering a surplus and major new reforms to improve school education and introduce an NDIS.
"However we still believe cutting public sector jobs and services is the wrong approach. The service is already struggling as a direct result of the Government's Budget decision which will take $2.4 billion and 4200 jobs out of the system this year alone.
"Our delegates appreciated hearing the Prime Minister Julia Gillard talk to them this week about the value of their work in the public service. Given the Prime Minister's strong and positive statements, we would be surprised if the Government was planning to make further major cuts to public service jobs.
"This week we've launched the Cuts Hurt campaign. It's designed to push the current Government to make better decisions on services and jobs and to highlight the risk of Tony Abbott's plan to cut $50 billion from Government spending, if elected.
To arrange comment with Nadine Flood, please contact CPSU Communications Director Dermot Browne on 0408 265 081
