The ACT Greens are gravely concerned by the Labor Government’s decision to cut 65 jobs in the Health and Community Services Directorate. This decision shows a government that has lost control of their workforce planning and is making some of Canberra’s most vulnerable people pay for it.
“Time and again, the Labor Government has said there won’t be cuts to frontline services. But once again, they can’t clearly define who exactly are frontline workers. And we’re seeing the cost of this lack of clarity today: jobs being cut from public housing maintenance, child protection, youth and domestic, sexual and family violence,” said ACT Greens Leader Jo Clay.
Government has said no frontline health workers like nurses and doctors will be affected – the Greens welcome that. But they have said nothing equivalent about other frontline workers in the affected directorates.
“Last time we asked Government about frontline jobs, it turned out they weren’t tracking this and didn’t know which jobs were ‘frontline’ and which weren’t.*
“Can the Minister categorically guarantee that no frontline workers in public housing, child protection, youth services, family violence services or any other service will be made redundant?
“And can the Minister tell us exactly which roles will be cut? Without a clear commitment, there is nothing to protect Canberrans and our community from losing services we desperately need.
“Earlier this year, the ACT Ombudsman told the Labor government that they were leaving public housing tenants in unsafe, hazardous homes for extended periods. How will Government meet Ombudsman recommendations if it’s cutting positions? This Government keeps getting its priorities wrong and then making our community pay for it,” said Ms Clay.
The Greens are calling on the government to release a full breakdown of the roles affected and how these forced changes will affect the delivery of essential community services.
