TREASURER Peter Gutwein is being urged to reveal how many front-line public sector staff have been axed this financial year when he hands down a budget update this week. Mr Gutwein will on Wednesday reveal progress made slashing public sector jobs, and outline revised predictions for the state’s economy. Labor finance spokesman Scott Bacon said the Treasurer must be upfront about which positions have been cut. ‘‘We want him to let his own workforce know exactly how many jobs have gone, how many more are expected to go, exactly how that’s already cost and how much it will cost over the next four years,’’ Mr Bacon said. ‘‘What we want to see this week is some transparency from Peter Gutwein and the rest of the government in this budget update.’’ Mr Bacon said the government must articulate its long-term plan for the state’s finances. ‘‘What we really want to see is a long term solution, not Band Aid solutions,’’ he said. Mr Gutwein said this week’s Revised Estimates Report would clearly show the state’s economy had improved since the August state budget. ‘‘The underlying economic situation is looking stronger and the forecast outcomes are broadly on track,’’ Mr Gutwein said. ‘‘We are also on track to meet our savings target for this financial year of a reduction of 821 FTE in the public service.’’ Mr Gutwein would not be drawn on which positions had gone, or on associated payouts. The bulk of the cuts are expected to come from the State Growth, Education and Health and Human Services departments.
TREASURER Peter Gutwein is being urged to reveal how many front-line public sector staff have been axed this financial year when he hands down a budget update this week.
Peter Gutwein
Mr Gutwein will on Wednesday reveal progress made slashing public sector jobs, and outline revised predictions for the state’s economy.
Labor finance spokesman Scott Bacon said the Treasurer must be upfront about which positions have been cut.
‘‘We want him to let his own workforce know exactly how many jobs have gone, how many more are expected to go, exactly how that’s already cost and how much it will cost over the next four years,’’ Mr Bacon said.
‘‘What we want to see this week is some transparency from Peter Gutwein and the rest of the government in this budget update.’’
Mr Bacon said the government must articulate its long-term plan for the state’s finances.
‘‘What we really want to see is a long term solution, not Band Aid solutions,’’ he said.
Mr Gutwein said this week’s Revised Estimates Report would clearly show the state’s economy had improved since the August state budget.
‘‘The underlying economic situation is looking stronger and the forecast outcomes are broadly on track,’’ Mr Gutwein said.
‘‘We are also on track to meet our savings target for this financial year of a reduction of 821 FTE in the public service.’’
Mr Gutwein would not be drawn on which positions had gone, or on associated payouts.
The bulk of the cuts are expected to come from the State Growth, Education and Health and Human Services departments.
