Elise Archer MP

The Tasmanian Liberals oppose the Labor-Green Government’s plan to sack up to 2,300 frontline public sector employees such as police, nurses and teachers for a very good reason.

It should be highlighted at the outset that we agree that we need a more productive, responsive and efficient public sector - but we don't believe that sacking police, nurses and teachers is the best way to achieve this.

We simply cannot afford to lose vital public services across the state at a time when Tasmania’s economy is struggling.

It should not be forgotten that the reason the state is in this position is because successive Labor Governments have continually blown the budget, over-spending by around $600 million in the last two financial years alone!

The Tasmanian Liberals stand for efficient and effective government – but not for sacking police, nurses and teachers.

I am particularly concerned that the Premier, Lara Giddings, does not seem to be aware of the real implications of her cuts to the Police budget.

It’s impossible to make her budget cuts without cutting jobs.

The Police Association says 85 per cent of the police budget is for salaries. The three per cent cut cannot be found in the remaining 15 per cent as it covers all consumables such as cars, rates and equipment, so Ms Giddings will no doubt have to fix her budget black hole by cutting police numbers.

During Budget Estimates in June 2011 the Police Minister, David O'Byrne, confirmed that up to 100 police jobs could go as a result of budget cuts.

Our police have a very difficult job and often work under extreme pressure. Cutting back on staffing levels will only make the situation worse and is a direct threat to public safety.