Tonight's Budget provides a mixed bag of results for the public sector workforce says the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU).
The CPSU says it is pleasing to see a slight increase in the public sector workforce staffing levels with the overall staffing levels maintained in the budget.
However, the union says it's disappointing to see the job cuts that have already been announced are expected to continue in several APS agencies, including the Department of Health, Department of Home Affairs and Department of Social Services.
These public sector job cuts will result in the nation losing trained and trusted public sector workers at the same time as big consulting firms continue to pocket profits from public service roles.
Having championed for an additional investment in public services, the union welcomes tonight's funding boost to CSIRO of $387.4m and nearly 4000 frontline Services Australia staff.
These investments will see the CSIRO, and Australia be at the forefront of science and research. 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.
Quotes attributable to Melissa Donnelly, CPSU National Secretary:
"Leading into the budget, public sector workers were anxious about the significant job cuts, and tonight, while we are pleased to see overall staffing levels remain, we have seen these job cuts remain too.
"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.
"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."
