State’s ‘silent’ on cuts

By John Van Klaveren
STATE Government is acting “abominably” in refusing to detail regional public service job cuts in centres like Geelong, according to a leading unionist.
Community and Public Sector Union Victoria secretary Karen Batt said the organisation was pursuing the Government at Fair Work Australia.
“We’re pushing the Government on what programs in which regions will be cut but they’ve refused to give us any information,” Ms Batt said.
“It’s not just the direct cuts. We need to know the extent of the impact of non-filling of vacancies and non-renewal of fixed-term contracts.
“The Barwon region has a number of Department of Primary Industry and Department of Sustainability and Environment research programs run by contract staff.
“There have been rumours of regional office closures but the government’s being vague and deliberately avoiding providing information to us and staff.
“This is no way to treat staff and an abominable way of governing.”
Opposition leader Daniel Andrews claimed Geelong would “bear the brunt” of the public service cuts.
“These jobs are very important for the health of Geelong’s economy,” he said.
A spokesperson for Premier Ted Baillieu said departments were developing a detailed implementation plan.
She said the cuts would be achieved over two years in administrative and back-office roles through natural attrition, a freeze on recruitment, lapsing of fixed-term contracts and “voluntary departure” packages.