VIC:Vic public sector future uncertain

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2011
VIC:Vic public sector future uncertain

MELBOURNE, April 27 AAP - Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has refused to guarantee he
won't trim the public sector by attrition, less than a week out from the state budget.

Announcing an extra $100 million over four years for school maintenance, the premier
would not clarify his position on whether the number of public service jobs - such as
child protection workers and teachers - would drop over time as a result of staff not
being replaced when they left.

"I'm simply saying what I have said before is we're not looking to reduce any frontline
services," he told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.

"I'm saying when the state grows, employment grows.

"I am sure there will be changes but I'm not going to pre-empt the budget," Mr Baillieu said.

The coalition has released an interim report from an independent panel of experts it
commissioned to examine Victoria's finances.

The panel, headed by Dr Michael Vertigan, warns if the state continues down the path
of spending outstripping revenue, the government will be forced to borrow just to pay
ongoing expenses, like public servants' wages, by 2015/16.

Mr Baillieu said the government remained committed to the parameters it set itself
before winning office last November, including delivering annual minimum surpluses of
$100 million over the next four years.

AAP mj/pmu/ajw

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