Unions fear Coalition will sack hundreds of Hunter public servants

Unions fear up to 470 public sector jobs would be cut from the Hunter region if a Coalition government fulfils its pledge to slash jobs.

Peter Dutton has launched a series of attacks on the public service, pledging to cut 41,000 jobs and end flexible working arrangements for public servants. His plan has drawn comparisons with Donald Trump's DOGE cuts currently hollowing out the USA's public sector.

CPSU National Secretary Melissa Donnelly said, “People in the Hunter deserve secure jobs, strong public services, and a government that cares more about the community than making billionaires and big corporations richer.”

“Peter Dutton’s plan to slash 41,000 public sector jobs only benefits consultants from places like PwC and KPMG.”

Reminder that Labor had to rebuild the public service after low growth rates during the previous Coalition government. This suppression resulted in a shadow workforce of private consultants, costing taxpayers $20.8 billion in 2021.

Peter Dutton has criticised the growth of workers in the public sector, even though the growth in public service numbers has closely matched the increase in the population.