Conflicting Views on APS Job Cuts: Dutton vs. His Candidate

Mixed Messages from Dutton and Vadakkedathu

Peter Dutton, the Opposition Leader, has sparked controversy with his comments about the Australian Public Service (APS) job cuts. While assuring Tasmanians that all 41,000 APS job cuts will come from Canberra, his ACT Senate candidate, Jacob Vadakkedathu, contradicted him by stating that most of the cuts wouldn't come from the ACT.

During a press conference in Hobart on April 24, Dutton firmly stated that no job cuts would affect the ACT, emphasizing that the cuts would solely impact Canberra. He remarked, "We’ve been very clear about that," adding that some positions are still unfilled and thus represent projected numbers.

In stark contrast, Vadakkedathu, speaking on Canberra’s radio 2CC earlier that day, claimed that only one third of the cuts would occur in the ACT over a five-year period, highlighting a significant divide in messaging.

Labor's Reaction

The conflicting statements provided ammunition for the Labor Party, who seized the opportunity to criticize the Coalition's lack of consensus on policy. Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher described the situation as indicative of dangerous policymaking, stating that Dutton's approach could have dire consequences for Australian workers.

Gallagher insisted that the reality of cutting 41,000 jobs in Canberra would severely impact frontline services and national security, asserting that Dutton needs to clarify his position to the thousands of families reliant on these jobs.

Dutton's Evolving Stance

Initially, Dutton had promised to cut 41,000 jobs from the public service but later softened his rhetoric, suggesting that cuts would come from voluntary redundancies and natural attrition. However, he has recently intensified his claims, insisting that the cuts would indeed be sourced from Canberra.

Moreover, Dutton had to backtrack on his earlier plan to mandate public servants to return to the office five days a week due to internal dissent within the Coalition. This inconsistency has further fueled skepticism regarding the Coalition’s job policies and overall strategy.