There needs to be an urgent and independent audit of public sector roles which have legislated obligations, and whether they can comply with those regulatory commitments under the Hodgman government’s proposed job cuts, Greens Leader Kim Booth MP said today.
“We are hearing of numerous roles in nursing, child protection, aged care, and education where public sector workers are charged with protecting the vulnerable in our society, but which now have a serious question mark over their capacity to comply with current legal requirements,” Mr Booth said.
“Successive Ministers have repeatedly failed to guarantee replacement of key roles which deliver vital services the community relies upon, including child protection and aged care.”
“Before any of these jobs are cut, it is incumbent on the Premier to have the public sector independently audited to identify all positions which have specific regulatory obligations, and assess their capacity to comply with those obligations now, and under the proposed job cuts.”
“To fail to do this fundamental groundwork is highly irresponsible.”
“Now that this government has embarked on a reckless slash and burn frenzy, cutting 821 FTE position in eight months, which is the equivalent of over 100 jobs per month lost, the Premier must guarantee that all public sector roles with regulatory obligations will have adequate resourcing, including staffing, to ensure compliance with the law.”
“Without this guarantee, the Premier and his Treasurer must shoulder any liability,” Mr Booth said.