The union representing federal public sector workers has described the federal budget as a mixed bag of results, with overall staffing set to increase amid significant reductions in some agencies.
CPSU National Secretary Melissa Donnelly was happy to see a slight increase in the public sector workforce staffing with the overall employment levels maintained in the budget, but confirmation of anticipated job cuts remained disappointing.
“Leading into the budget, public sector workers were anxious about the significant reductions and while we are pleased to see overall staffing levels remain, we have seen these job cuts remain too.”
Ms Donnelly said the union was disappointed to see the job cuts that have already been announced are expected to continue in several agencies, including CSIRO, the Department of Health, Department of Home Affairs and Department of Social Services.
“The job losses are continuing at the same time agencies and departments are wasting taxpayer money on expensive consultants which is disappointing for our public sector workers doing the hard work, and for Australians who rely on their services.”
There were some positive results. Having championed for an additional investment in public services, CPSU welcomed the funding boost to CSIRO of $387.4m and nearly 4,000 extra frontline Services Australia staff.
The $1.7 billion investment in the capacity and capability of Services Australia will mean shorter wait times and faster access to supports like a pension, the childcare subsidy, or youth allowance.
For Services Australia continued funding for these frontline roles has already been pivotal in reducing backlogs and wait times and will help ensure pensioners, students and Australian families get the support they need when they need it, Ms Donnelly said.
“While we are pleased to see the further investments in both Services Australia and CSIRO, allowing these agencies to continue doing the important work they do delivering for Australians every day, we need to see the Government be bold and ambitious in directing the APS to curb wasteful spending on costly consultants.”
“Public sector employees do crucial work in delivering effective services; this Government must do its job and invest in securing and retaining public service jobs.”