UNIONS say the state government is advertising for jobs that could be filled by staff who have been given voluntary redundancies and early retirement packages.
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Departments have been asked to cut the equivalent of 821 full-time jobs before the end of June, more than half of which are as a result of the failure to find agreement on a pay freeze.
Community and Public Sector Union secretary Tom Lynch said a number of jobs that were being advertised could have been filled by departing staff.
"One of them that was told the other day that he was surplus to requirements and was strongly encouraged to take an WRIT [early retirement] was a bit surprised when he went on to the government's website and found positions that he could have been redeployed into," he told The Examiner.
"We started looking and there were multiple roles that fit that description and most of them are permanent positions."
A government spokesman said there were no forced redundancies, and the departments would find savings according to the government's plan.
"The government is implementing strict vacancy control and only advertises positions externally when it is not possible to fill the role internally," he said.
"Voluntary redundancies are just that, voluntary. We were elected to fix the budget mess and we are determined to do so."
Opposition Leader Bryan Green accused the government of shrouding the process in secrecy.
"There are reports the sackings could cost in excess of $30 million but only the Treasurer has access to the information to confirm the true cost to taxpayers," he said.
"This government's warped priorities are hurting real people and cutting deeper and deeper into public services.
"The Liberals' complete lack of transparency is only making matters worse."
Of the positions to go, 266 will come from the Department of Education, 224 will come from the Department of Health and Human Services, while State Growth will lose 174 positions.