Victorian Government to axe 1000 public servant jobs including 300 executive positions

The Victorian Government plans to eliminate 1000 public service positions, including over 300 executive roles, and consolidate multiple agencies, delivering $4 billion in savings after an independent public sector review.

Treasurer Jaclyn Symes stopped short of fully endorsing the Helen Silver-led public sector review released on Thursday, which called for cuts to 2068 positions.

Measures include reducing 332 executive and similar roles, slashing spending on consultants and labour hire, cutting CBD office costs, and merging or winding up entities.

Frontline roles such as teachers, nurses, police and child protection workers were not within the review’s scope.

It found Victoria’s public service workforce has grown 16 per cent since 2019 and executive roles rose 52 per cent.

The moves will end unnecessary duplication and rebalance the state’s “top-heavy” public service.

“Families are watching every dollar they spend, and they expect the government to do the same,” Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said.

“It’s why we’re reducing waste and inefficiencies so we can invest in the things that matter to Victorians.”

When announcing the review in February, Ms Symes said she was targeting job losses between 2000 and 3000 jobs - about five to six per cent of the public service workforce.

The Victorian government will introduce legislation on Thursday to enact the review’s recommendations.

Twenty-seven were accepted in full, three in part and 15 in principle.

Seven were not accepted, including ending certain school programs and abolishing government entities such as the Geelong Authority.

Victoria’s more than 500 public entities and 3400 boards and committees were costly and “unwieldy”, the review said.

Ms Silver called for entities to be reduced by 78 and up to 90 advisory bodies to cease.

The government’s response falls short of the mark, only committing to cut 29 public entities and boards.

Ms Symes’ predecessor Tim Pallas sought to cut 3000 to 4000 public service jobs in the 2023/24 Victorian budget.

Instead, employee numbers grew from 54,760 to 54,839 over the financial year and the total wage bill was forecast to rise from $38 billion in 2024/25 and $42.4 billion in 2028/29.

Victoria’s net debt is forecast to reach $194 billion by mid-2029, sending interest repayments soaring close to $29 million a day.with AAP