Finance Minister Katy Gallagher has revealed that the Australian Public Service (APS) has grown by approximately 30,000 employees since Labor came to power, despite claims of job cuts in the recent federal budget. Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Gallagher addressed concerns that the budget would lead to a reduction in the public service workforce, stating that the numbers tell a different story.
Public Service Growth Under Labor
According to Gallagher, the APS has expanded significantly under the current government, with the total number of public servants now standing at over 200,000. This growth, she argued, reflects the government's commitment to delivering essential services to Australians. The Minister emphasised that the budget, handed down by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, includes measures to streamline operations and reduce spending, but not at the expense of frontline services.
Budget Measures and Job Cuts
The budget, which was released last week, outlined plans to cut thousands of jobs across various government departments as part of a broader effort to rein in spending and improve efficiency. However, Gallagher clarified that these cuts would be achieved through natural attrition and voluntary redundancies, rather than forced redundancies. She also noted that the government would be hiring in areas such as the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and aged care, offsetting reductions in other areas.
Opposition Criticism
The Opposition has criticised the budget, arguing that the job cuts will hurt public service morale and lead to a decline in service quality. Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume accused the government of 'cooking the books' and claimed that the growth in public service numbers was driven by temporary hires for the COVID-19 response. Gallagher rejected these claims, stating that the growth was broad-based and included permanent positions.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, Gallagher indicated that the government would continue to monitor public service numbers and adjust as needed. She reiterated the government's commitment to a 'sustainable' public service that delivers for Australians. The Minister also highlighted the importance of digital transformation and innovation in improving government services, suggesting that technology could help reduce the need for some administrative roles.
In conclusion, while the budget includes job cuts, the overall trajectory of the public service under Labor has been one of growth. The government maintains that it is striking a balance between fiscal responsibility and the delivery of essential services.
