Dutton confirms cuts of 41k public service roles as election campaigns kick off

After flip-flopping on the overall number and roles affected, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has finally confirmed the total extent of his proposed public service cuts in his federal budget reply.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has confirmed that he will cut 41,000 public sector workers – an increase from his original vows of 36,000 – which he claims will save the federal budget $7 billion.

During his budget reply speech – in response to Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ federal budget last week – Dutton touched on numerous changes he hopes to make if successful in the upcoming federal election, which Anthony Albanese announced will take place on 3 May.

“We will reverse Labor’s increase of 41,000 Canberra-based public servants – saving $7 billion a year. That’s money we can provide back to the Australian people in frontline services,” said Dutton.

“The growth rate of public servants under this government in Canberra is about three times it was under the Rudd-Gillard government.”

In response, Labor pointed towards previous efforts to shrink the public service, which, in turn, led to ballooning outsourcing costs as consultants were brought in to conduct essential public service functions.

A previous audit of the APS found that the Morrison government spent $20.8 billion on consultants and labour-hire staff in one year (2021-22) after cuts to the public service workforce.

“Planning to cut thousands of public servant jobs, when he wasted millions of dollars on expensive consultants as a senior Liberal minister – that’s a cruel hoax,” said Labor Senator Brian Mitchell.

“Claiming he supports veterans while planning to cut the jobs of the staff who provide their services – that is a cruel hoax.”

Touching on other aspects involving the Australian workplace, Dutton announced tax relief for small businesses.

“We will increase the instant asset write-off from $1,000 under this government to $30,000 and make this arrangement ongoing. We will also provide a deduction of up to $20,000 per year for business-related meal expenses – which is also a much-needed shot in the arm for struggling cafes, restaurants, and pubs.

“If your kids or grandkids work in a local cafe or a local pub or club, this will see them get more hours and have more secure employment,” he said.

“I want small businesses to be taking risks, calculated risks – not shutting up shop.”

The Labor government’s budget caught waves of criticism for its “underwhelming” outlook on small businesses, with CPA Australia chief executive Chris Freeland AM calling for the removal of “over-regulation” and “red tape” to “offset the pain” Aussie SMBs are currently experiencing.

“Businesses and their advisers will find little in the federal budget that will help offset the pain all too many small businesses have been experiencing,” Freeland said.

“The budget lacks ambition and a thorough understanding of what business needs. Not enough is being done to slash red tape or create the conditions and improve policy development that would shift the dial on Australian productivity and competitiveness.”

Following this, Dutton committed to “ripping up as much red and green tape as possible”.

“I commit to removing regulatory burdens where we can – where there’s duplication across local, state, and federal government – during a first term Coalition government,” he said.

What has become a hot-button issue through the Australian workplace and the lead-up to the federal election is the actions of the Construction, Forestry, and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), which Dutton has previously referred to as “a modern-day mafia operation”.

During his speech, he confirmed the implantation of new anti-racketeering laws and taskforce to tackle the contraventions of the union, touching on allegations raised in a recent 60 Minutes episode, which included acts of violence against women, featuring acts of physical assault, intimidation, and the negligence of victims.

“The corrupt and disgraced CFMEU – which has donated $11 million to the Labor Party, that in turn has seen the Labor Party turn a blind eye to them and their illegal conduct – will be deregistered,” Dutton said.

“The construction industry watchdog will be restored – so that we can have safety again on big building sites. New anti-racketeering laws will be legislated. A dedicated AFP-led taskforce will tackle the criminal elements in our building sector that are ripping off Australians and undermining productivity.

“I would never tolerate seeing a member of a union, or any person for that matter, kicking a woman on camera and not even commenting in relation to it. It was a disgrace, and it was a disgrace that this government allowed it to happen – it is a common practice from the CFMEU.”

As the campaign trail for all political parties kicks off, issues surrounding the Australian workplace are expected to continue being in the limelight as politicians push to score points on what have become hot-button issues across an increasingly contested terrain.