41,000 Public Service Cuts to Be Achieved Through Attrition, Voluntary Redundancies: Senator

The Coalition has tried to clarify how it will achieve its public service cuts, and played down suggestions it will be through mass sackings.

Shadow Home Affairs spokesperson James Paterson at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra on March 6, 2023. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

Liberal Senator James Paterson has confirmed the Coalition’s plan to cut 41,000 public service jobs would occur via steady attrition and voluntary redundancies, not forced sackings.

Under the current government, Australian taxpayers support 185,343 public service jobs—41,000 of which were introduced in just three years under Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.