Political party, the Greens has announced a plan to restore staffing numbers in the Australian Public Service (APS) to 2013 levels and cap the amount the APS can spend on consultants and contractors.
Leader of the Greens, Senator Richard Di Natale said that if the party wins enough seats in the Federal Election next week it would seek to rebuild a strong public sector that delivered quality public services.
“Our public sector has been privatised by stealth in recent years,” Senator Di Natale said.
“Job cuts by successive governments have hollowed out Government Departments, creating a stronger reliance on the big four consulting firms, all of which are big donors to the major parties,” he said.
“The Greens will restore public staffing levels, stop the funding squeeze and cap the use of private contractors. We will also ensure fair pay for Public Servants and enshrine the right to free political expression.”
Greens candidate for the new seat of Canberra, Tim Hollo said the Public Service played a vital role in making Australia.
“I will always defend the Public Service and Public Servants, and be an advocate outside Government for their rights,” Mr Hollo said.
Greens candidate for the ACT Senate, Penny Kyburz said that the way the APS had been treated by successive Governments was not just damaging to Canberra, but to the whole country.
“We need a well-resourced, independent Public Service, and the ongoing staffing caps, outsourcing and decentralisation must end,” Dr Kyburz said.
