The CPSU says comments by Kevin Rudd's seeking to link the leaking of confidential Cabinet papers to public service workloads are unfortunate.
Mr Rudd has cleared his Cabinet colleagues over the leaks but has pointed his finger at the public service.
CPSU National Secretary Stephen Jones has condemned the leak, but says Mr Rudd's warning that public servants will be expected to work even harder is inflammatory given the recent round of budget cuts.
"We don't know who leaked the documents, or why. But we do know it was a stupid thing to do," he said.
"There is no doubt leaks such as this undermine the fundamental basis of the relationship between the Government and public service.
"The key role of the APS is to provide frank and fearless advice to the government of the day. But this can't happen in an environment where sensitive material finds it's way on to the front page.
"There is plenty of goodwill in the APS towards the new Government and what it wants to achieve. But this goodwill is not limitless and it is being sorely tested by Mr Rudd's unfortunate remarks about workloads and ongoing budget cuts.
"The Government needs to accept that the public service is not a magic pudding - it can not do 'more with less' indefinitely.
"Public servants are not afraid of working hard. But like all Australians they need time with their families and a chance to relax.
"If the APS is to help build a better Australia and deliver on the long term agenda of the new government, we need to move past the short-sightedness of arbitrary budget cuts and the so-called efficiency dividend, which has cut 3200 jobs from the service this year," he said.
Dermot Browne Campaign and Communications Director Ph: 0408 265 081
Comments(4)
Posted by:PJ - 30 May 2008, 11:05pm don't know why folk are all out of sorts?
with the extreme politicisation of the APS over the last 10+ years what does big kev expect - of course some right wing jockey knob will leak whatever "it" sees as damaging to the rudd govt. SOOO Kev needs to start looking at previous political appointees OR PRO JOHNNY HACKERS and maybe axe them ..shite I can give him a list where i work as long as my size long jeans.. get with it Kev ...we(the unions) helped get you elected sooo start getting some justice in the APS - it's JUST all we want 'JUSTICE' IT'S NOT HARD KEV ITS JUST A FAIR GO FOR ALL!!!!
Posted by:Jack - 30 May 2008, 1:56pm As usual Rudd has outsmarted everyone with his political genius ? I think he has actually leaked the information himself to get an edge in a second round of his razor wielding and ganging tactics. As every high-flying workplace psycho he suffers from a short-imagination span syndrome that blurs his perception of reality. Reigning fear among PS instead of actually doing something except of building 24/7 myth of himself is going to end up in a big bust of his cabinet and himself. This bust will be delivered by his ultimate boss ? his electorate base sooner then all political analysts expect.
Posted by:Mark - 30 May 2008, 1:15pm I agree with the magic pudding commment. We can not infinitely do more with less which is the current situation. Lower budgets, fewer staff, efficiency dividends and increased workloads do not add up. The APS can do whatever the Govt of the day wants and needs...as long as it is funded correctly
Posted by:Greg - 30 May 2008, 11:42am I was disappointed about the Prime Minister's comments about the Cabinet paper leak. I am concerned that it occurred and hope the culprits are caught. However, I am intrigued that the leak when to Laurie Oakes who was the recipient of so many leaks during the last ALP Government. I suspect his source is not a public servant.
don't know why folk are all out of sorts? with the extreme politicisation of the APS over the last 10+ years what does big kev expect - of course some right wing jockey knob will leak whatever "it" sees as damaging to the rudd govt. SOOO Kev needs to start looking at previous political appointees OR PRO JOHNNY HACKERS and maybe axe them ..shite I can give him a list where i work as long as my size long jeans.. get with it Kev ...we(the unions) helped get you elected sooo start getting some justice in the APS - it's JUST all we want 'JUSTICE' IT'S NOT HARD KEV ITS JUST A FAIR GO FOR ALL!!!!
As usual Rudd has outsmarted everyone with his political genius ? I think he has actually leaked the information himself to get an edge in a second round of his razor wielding and ganging tactics. As every high-flying workplace psycho he suffers from a short-imagination span syndrome that blurs his perception of reality. Reigning fear among PS instead of actually doing something except of building 24/7 myth of himself is going to end up in a big bust of his cabinet and himself. This bust will be delivered by his ultimate boss ? his electorate base sooner then all political analysts expect.
I agree with the magic pudding commment. We can not infinitely do more with less which is the current situation. Lower budgets, fewer staff, efficiency dividends and increased workloads do not add up. The APS can do whatever the Govt of the day wants and needs...as long as it is funded correctly
I was disappointed about the Prime Minister's comments about the Cabinet paper leak. I am concerned that it occurred and hope the culprits are caught. However, I am intrigued that the leak when to Laurie Oakes who was the recipient of so many leaks during the last ALP Government. I suspect his source is not a public servant.