Will Hodgman

Action

 The Liberals will implement a five step strategy to rein in public sector spending.

 
What this policy means for you

Government expenditure reined in without forced sackings and cuts to essential services such as police, teachers and nurses.

In the light of the current budget situation resulting from Labor’s massive $1 billion overspend, the Liberals agree that recurrent government spending needs to reined in.

But we do not agree with the Premier’s broad-brush plan of wholesale sackings to achieve that objective.

It will compromise the government's ability to deliver essential services such as health, education and law and order for Tasmanian families, and will – as expert commentators such as Access Economics have said – have negative impacts on our economy by causing uncertainty, reduced confidence and a consequent reduction in spending in the economy, at a time the state can least afford it.

We firmly believe that the size and cost of our public service can be managed in ways other than resorting to forced sacking of nurses, teachers and police.

First, we believe that the government should establish a framework for managing the public service that breaks down the fragmented approach and applies a strategic whole-of-government approach;

Second, every year, a significant number of public servants voluntarily leave the public sector. By applying strategic position management you could comfortably reduce the size of the public sector by 400-500 positions each year, achieving the required savings without the need for forced redundancies and without cutting vital services;

Third, in Government we would work proactively with the community and unions to develop a long-term policy for a public sector that delivers the services Tasmanians want while containing any excessive growth.

Fourth, we propose that leave without pay should be encouraged making it easier for employees to move out of the public sector into the private sector or to go elsewhere. This will enable them to return to the public sector at a later time in areas we need growth with enhanced skills to contribute.

Fifth, as I have said previously, a government I lead would value and actively work with the people who work in public sector. We should harness these people to assist in reducing spending.

Your choice

LIBERAL        

• No forced redundancies
• Rein in public sector spending through five step strategy
• Protect frontline services

LABOR/GREEN

• Up to 2,300 sackings
• Essential services to be cut
• Just the start: cut of 30 police by axing 2011 recruit course