http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-04/public-service-paying-price-for-surplus-pledge/3990406

The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) claims 2,800 public service jobs have already been cut and more will be lost as part of next week's federal budget.

The union claims around 30 agencies have so far been affected, with human services losing around 470 positions.

The reductions are part of efforts to meet the Government's increased efficiency dividend for the upcoming financial year.

CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood says she expects more announcements about job losses will be made in the federal budget.

She says the public service is paying the price so the Government can deliver a political promise.

"The Government's single-mindedness about delivering a budget surplus is having a really negative impact," she said.

"We are looking at significant cuts in front-line jobs and services.

"That's going to impact on communities and it's going to impact on business and industry that rely on those services."

Ms Flood says the announced cuts are already having a serious impact on workloads.

"What we've seen for example in human services, Centrelink and Medicare, is waiting times blow out dramatically," she said.

"People are waiting up to three to four weeks for just an appointment to actually be able to talk to someone."

These cuts are needed - Government has become to big and cumbersome, nothing scarier than a Government thats here to help. :) :) :)

Have not heard much about these 2800 cuts already happening.

Come on Lib Lab, race to the bottom and see how quick you can drag Australia into recession.


Dumb Asses

____ wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 8:58am:

Come on Lib Lab, race to the bottom and see how quick you can drag Australia into recession. Dumb Asses

I doubt the greens would ever get into power, so the chances of that are pretty slim.

About 4200 Victorian public servants will lose their jobs over the next two years to keep the state in the black amid plummeting revenues.   :(

Delivering his second state budget on Tuesday, Treasurer Kim Wells said the public service had to be more efficient and Victorians must live within their means.

Treasury has forecast a $155 million surplus for 2012/13, in line with the government's pre-election promise of minimum $100 million surpluses.


A further 600 public servants will lose their jobs on top of 3600 already announced last December, the first home buyers' bonus will not be renewed and funding for some vocational courses slashed.   :(

The budget includes $15 million towards a business case for the long-awaited East West Link, $350 million for level crossings to be replaced with overpasses at Mitcham and Springvale, and a three per cent cut in WorkCover premiums paid by employers.

While the government hopes most of the extra 600 job cuts can be achieved through voluntary redundancies and not renewing contracts, in limited circumstances workers could be sacked.

Mr Wells did not rule out further cuts or future asset sales and privatisation.   :(

"The financial conditions that are being faced by this state are the worst in a decade," he told reporters.

"To achieve the $155 million surplus we have had to drive further efficiencies.

"It was either that or go into deficit. Going into deficit for this government was not an option."

Community and Public Sector Union Victorian secretary Karen Batt said frontline workers could not be quarantined from job cuts of the magnitude revealed on Tuesday.   :(

"Paying for capital works by cutting your services, your human capital, is the wrong approach," she said.

"It's recycled Kennett and this policy was soundly rejected by the community." 

Motoring group RACV public policy general manager Brian Negus welcomed the roads investment but criticised the government for ramping up fines.   :(

There will be a 12.5 per cent rise in fines, with the government expecting to rake in around $662.5 million in total fine revenue in 2012/13.

Motorists are expected to pay almost $306 million in road safety camera fines in 2012/13.

Business gave the budget a tick, with Australian Industry Group Victorian director Tim Piper welcoming the three per cent cut in WorkCover premiums.

However further investment in infrastructure and manufacturing was needed, he said.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews said the budget also targeted the most vulnerable, with some of the most savage cutbacks in years.   :(

"To say this is a jobs building budget is just a joke," he told reporters.

From July 1 this year, first-home buyers will no longer receive a $13,000 bonus if they buy a new property in Melbourne worth less than $600,000 and $19,500 if the house is in a regional or rural area.

Mr Andrews said cutting the first home bonus was bad for jobs, regional Victoria and people working in the domestic building industry.

Vocational training courses that are not in high demand will also be slashed.

Australian Education Union Victorian branch secretary Mary Bluett said the cuts would decimate the TAFE sector.   :(

"The decisions of the budget are the most horrendous in the history of TAFE," she told reporters.

"This government has basically abandoned public TAFE and has put in place a system that will see $300 million pulled out of our public TAFEs.

"Many will struggle to survive."   :(

The ever needed clean out is happening. Just a little unusual for labor to do what is needed.

Build more Centrelink offices.   :(

progressiveslol wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 8:59am:

____ wrote on May 4th, 2012 at 8:58am: Come on Lib Lab, race to the bottom and see how quick you can drag Australia into recession. Dumb Asses I doubt the greens would ever get into power, so the chances of that are pretty slim.

Greens are already powerful.


Meanwhile Lib Lab want mass unemployment and this mass unemployed below the poverty line.


Lift The Unemployment  payment before sacking everyone with old party stupidity.

Yes Greens absolutely right.   A fair and just increase in the new start ( no start ) allowance, of $50 a week is long overdue.   :(

wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 9:12am:

Yes Greens absolutely right.   A fair and just increase in the new start ( no start ) allowance, of $50 a week is long overdue.   :(

The way the budget is going, they may very well announce a $50 reduction.

I cant see that happening, not for those people that are on the lowest amount of $35 a day.  How could they possibly survive, its far too low now.   :(

corporate_whitey wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 8:55am:

These cuts are needed - Government has become to big and cumbersome, nothing scarier than a Government thats here to help. :) :) :)

They can start by cutting everyone from the Dept. of Climate Change as well as the Office of Incompetence, situated just outside Gillard's door.

I would think most of these jobs were created to help the Unemployment figures in the first place....

and dont forget now we dont seem to need a GW dept.. that was created during rudds term..offices rented at huge cost... something like $500 coffee machines..all for a dept that never really existed because it was created in the hope he would get his ETS over the line..remember Wong minister for warming the world.?

lets not forget pinkbatts.BER. green loans..all false employment.

Maqqa wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 8:50am:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-05-04/public-service-paying-price-for-surplus-pledge/3990406 The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) claims 2,800 public service jobs have already been cut and more will be lost as part of next week's federal budget. [...]

Can someone....anyone, explain why I'mphukingcrook is not putting topics like this up for opinions. Is he on holidays?

Armchair_Politician wrote on May 4^th, 2012 at 9:21am:

They can start by cutting everyone from the Dept. of Climate Change ...

Now that's a good idea.


(cue the hysterical AGW disciples with their tiresome "think of our grandchildren", "you want to wreck the planet", etc. nonsense ... )