Qld: Union action limits job slash and burn

The Newman government’s announcement of a job cuts cap of 14,000 means it has finally recognised union and community outrage over its slash and burn policies.

Queensland Council of Unions President John Battams said the government had only changed direction after recent negative opinion polls after just five months in power.

“The polls show Premier Newman is power-diving into an abyss of unpopularity,” Mr Battams said.

“Whatever the original number of job cuts the LNP had in mind – 20,000, 15,000, 14,000 – nobody believes that they would have reduced that number willingly without pressure,” he said.

He commended unions and community groups for speaking out against the cuts, often in the face of withering criticism from the government.

“I’m pleased that fewer Queenslanders face the sack but Premier Newman should have listened to the voices of workers and community groups long before now instead of indiscriminately sacking workers and cutting services,” Mr Battams said.

“This government has a slash and burn philosophy but no plan for growth. It has approached the issues around public debt too quickly and without thought. This has just ensured uncertainty among workers, community groups and the public.”

Two independents reports released this week also exposed the Government’s blueprint for budget cuts – the Costello report – as unreliable and ‘intellectually dishonest’.

A report by NSW academics Professor Bob Walker and Dr Betty Con Walker said the Costello work was neither independent nor a proper audit, while a report from University of Queensland Professor John Quiggin said it was ‘misleading’.

Mr Battams said a union and community campaign would continue to highlight and speak out against the impacts of hasty and unplanned government budget policies.

“Let’s not forget that the loss of 14,000 jobs from across Queensland will have a massive impact on regional economies and services.

“The impact in regional areas will be very severe. The two areas where most jobs will go  – health and transport – are critical, especially if you live outside of Brisbane.”

Unions and community groups are planning further action, with community activities to be held across the state on 12 September, the day after the first LNP state budget is delivered.

“These community days of action will be a message to the government that we stand for Queensland. We are saying ‘enough is enough’ of cuts to jobs and services. This government needs to take a step back and look at the damage it is doing to jobs, livelihoods and communities.”