Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Saturday 22nd January 2011

Giddings must come clean on job cuts

Reports that one of Tasmania’s biggest public sector unions is concerned that hundreds of public servants could be made redundant in a matter of weeks is further proof that Lara Giddings must immediately tell Tasmanians exactly how bad Tasmania’s finances are.

Forced redundancies are generally only considered as a last resort, only to be considered when the financial situation is so bad there is simply no other option.

Tasmanians have a right to be very concerned if the reported forced redundancies eventuate.

What jobs will be lost? What frontline services will be cut? Tasmanian families are already struggling with the cost of living and those people whose jobs are at risk need to know.

These questions need to be answered and it is not good enough for Lara Giddings to say to Tasmanians that they don’t deserve answers.

Lara Giddings has been on the Budget Sub-committee of Cabinet while Michael Aird was Treasurer and now as Treasurer herself the state of the finances is a direct result of decisions she has made.