NSW a ‘jobs powerhouse’ — but not for public servants

article-body

The NSW Government’s 2019-20 Budget is maintaining a strong focus on delivering jobs, according to Minister for Jobs and Investment Stuart Ayres.

“Over 670,000 jobs have been added in NSW since 2011 and NSW continues to be the jobs powerhouse of the nation with an unemployment rate of 4.6%,” Ayres said.

However, despite NSW  “experiencing an employment boom” with a “smashed” four-year jobs target, up to 3000 public sector jobs will be cut.

According to the Financial Review, the NSW government expects to cut “back-office” employees and lower expenditure on contingent workers.

Long service leave will be reduced from five to three months per ten years of service, and bonuses for the highest paid department executives will be abolished.

Meanwhile, “NSW has invested in over 500 companies with the creation of over 14,294 jobs and we are on track to create 20,000 new future-focused jobs by 2021,” Ayres said.

Roughly 1% of the state’s public servants will lose their job as part of the “saving measures”.

NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the cuts allow the state government to be “fit for purpose”.

“If the Government can’t find 1% of efficiencies then we’re in the wrong game,” he said.

“While our frontline is again boosted, we will drive more efficiencies in our back-office and
contingent labour expenses across government.”

According to the Australian, it will be the biggest cut to the public service since Barry ­O’Farrell was elected in 2011.