Dodgy Public Service Numbers

The Minister for Government Employment, Paul Henderson, displays no respect for the truth and dreadful arithmetic in his copy cat releases of the 13th and 17th of October entitled Government Supports Public Servants.

"The fact is the number of executive level public servants ballooned from 375 to 511 in the three years to 2005, placing great strain on future budgets,” says Terry Millls, Shadow Treasurer.

The Minister's release of the 13th states 'the number of executive level public servants as at the end of June 2005 was 511 – at the end of September 2006 the number was 504 - a reduction of 8.

"Actually that's a reduction of 7 not 8 Minister, and that modest dip means executive level public servant positions have still grown by 129 or almost 35% during the Martin Government,” says Mr Mills.

"The real issue is the extraordinary growth at the very top of the public service has put the jobs of ordinary public servants at risk and the Minister knows it.

"That's why nowhere in the two releases does the Minister guaranteed there will be no job losses amongst the rank and file of the public service.

"It's a question the Government simply refuses to answer.

"To divert attention the Minister pretends that the Opposition proposes cutting a swathe through public service jobs.

"The facts are very plain in this matter – the Opposition believes any job reductions in the Northern Territory Public Service should be amongst the political appointments at the executive level made by the Martin Government, not ordinary public servants.”

"The political appointees are drawing huge salaries to protect the interests of the Martin Government, not advance the interests of all Territorians. Will Government cut from the 5th floor? – I think not.”

2006-10-18