MS TIERNEY— To ask the Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations: In relation to the Baillieu government’s cuts to the public service resulting in more than 4000 staff being made redundant: What assistance has the Baillieu government provided to public service workers who have recently been made redundant.
ANSWER:
The Victorian government is committed to delivering as efficient, responsive and sustainable public service for the benefit of all Victorians.
Victoria’s public service grew at an average annual rate of 5.3 per cent over the period 2006 to 2010 compared to a 2 per cent average annual population growth over the same period.
The Victorian government has strengthened the state’s finances by restraining head office expenditure, putting in place a responsible wages policy and building budget capacity. Strengthening the state’s finances is vital to fund a substantial program of high quality infrastructure, deliver better quality services and keep taxes competitive without accumulating unstainable levels of public debt.