A program of money-saving measures to be implemented by the State Government is to be achieved without cutting frontline services, sacking Public Service staff or selling public assets, the Treasurer, Cameron Dick has promised.
The measures involve the Public Service however as the Treasurer’s goal is to save $3 billion in four years.
“The economic turmoil unleashed by COVID-19 continues around the world and here in Australia,” Mr Dick said.
“That’s why I am announcing a range of savings measures that will aim to prioritise functions and, together with the Public Service wage freeze, enable (the) savings target,” Mr Dick said.
He said the measures would include maintaining the number of Public Service positions at 1 July levels (excluding frontline services) for the next 12 months.
He said internal recruitment is to be used to fill non-frontline roles for 12 months; the secondment of frontline staff to non-frontline roles is to be limited; and suburban Government office space is to be used to house more Public Service staff.
Mr Dick said the reallocation of non-frontline Public Service positions into central Brisbane would be stopped and Senior Executive Service positions reduced by natural reduction.
The Treasurer said that the use of external consultancies and contractors is also to be reduced with existing arrangements ended wherever possible.
“We will limit the printing of glossy publications to those focused on creating jobs, attracting industries or building economic recovery, and simplify production of Government annual reports,” Mr Dick said.
“Program replication across Agencies will be eliminated and we will cease production of marketing materials except for critical Government activities.”
Mr Dick said that under the plan, up to 1,500 PS staff will have the chance to work in an office closer to their community.
“We will expand the role of our Distributed Work Centres — Government office spaces which allow workers to be based at Ipswich, Logan, Robina or Maroochydore instead of the Brisbane central business district,” he said.
