‘There will be no cuts’: premier’s public service vow
Public servants have been told there will be no job cuts in one of David Crisafulli’s first acts as Queensland premier.
The new leader has been quick to reassure the state’s 250,000-strong public service after heads rolled under the last Liberal National Party government.
Mr Crisafulli was sworn in as Queensland’s 41st premier on Monday after claiming victory in the state election, ending Labor’s nine-year reign.
He became the LNP’s first Queensland premier since Campbell Newman who sacked about 14,000 public servants during his 2012-2015 term.
Mr Crisafulli did not waste time distancing himself from his LNP predecessor, telling public servants history would not repeat in what is believed to be his first official correspondence as premier.
“There will be no employment cuts to the public service workforce,” Mr Crisafulli said in Monday’s email message.
“Having seen the impact of job losses in the past on the productivity and morale of the public service, I will not be repeating those actions.”
Labor had claimed Mr Crisafulli would swing the axe if elected, citing LNP’s economic plan it released days ahead of Saturday’s election, that revealed changes to save almost $7 billion on consultancies and contractors.
But Labor claimed that meant the LNP would cut public service jobs to keep the budget in the black.
Mr Crisafulli assured public servants that would not be the case in Monday’s email, saying his government would work with them to create a “one team approach”.
He said his ministers would be tasked with having “greater visibility” and spending time with public servants.
“A strong and stable public sector, creates a strong and stable Queensland,” his email said.
“We have an ambitious and important agenda in the interest of Queenslanders, and you, the Queensland Public Sector, are vital to what we need to achieve.”
There may be departmental leadership and structure changes, Mr Crisafulli said.
He has already confirmed David Mackie will be the premier department’s new acting director-general, replacing a “gracious” Mike Kaiser.
Mr Crisafulli’s cabinet will be decided and sworn in later this week after all seats are decided.
The LNP is confident it has won 53 seats while counting remains under way, with the government holding at least 48 to Labor’s 30.
The LNP needed 47 seats for a majority government, after holding 35 to Labor’s 51 before Saturday’s election.
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