This was published 12 years ago
Public Service Watch: Environment and Heritage Protection portfolio
Details about confirmed and rumoured cuts from within Environment and Heritage Protection Minister Andrew Powell's portfolio.
Rumoured cuts
ecoBiz Queensland
Date: August 3
Information: Claims the ecoBiz unit (28 staff) within the Office of Climate Change were told their positions had been made redundant on August 2. EcoBiz works with businesses to help them reduce their impact on the environment. On August 2, Minister Andrew Powell announced the department would ‘‘call for expressions of interest to establish a collaborative service delivery model to continue the successful work of ecoBiz’’, which would ‘‘deliver better value for money for Queensland taxpayers’’. The announcement did not contain details of redundancies within ecoBiz as a result of this partnership.
Source: Four separate confidential government sources.
Put to minister: August 3, 9.45am.
Response: A statement from Mr Powell's office said: ''As announced by Minister Powell yesterday, ecoBiz will be changing its model of service delivery to incorporate a partnership with industry. Staff were notified of changes that will take place over the next six months. Staff were told that voluntary redundancy or redeployment options may be offered to staff as the changes to this program are implemented however, no staff were made redundant yesterday.''
Related announcements
On July 30, the Newman government asked seven members of the 12-member Queensland Heritage Council to resign and reapply for their positions as part of a major review.
Cuts already confirmed by government
Office of Climate Change:
At least 30 employees from the policy and programs section of the Office of Climate Change would be offered the option of taking a payout, or be reassigned to another government role, Environment Minister Andrew Powell’s spokeswoman confirmed on May 18.
ClimateSmart Home Service, $5 million:
The ClimateSmart Home Service, which helped householders cut their power usage and therefore electricity bills, was axed on April 26. Environment Minister Andrew Powell said the closure of the program seven months early would save taxpayers up to $5 million.
News tips
Do you know more about any of these cuts, or have details about other measures being taken? Share your news tips by emailing ps@brisbanetimes.com.au
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Cuts in other portfolios
- Premier's portfolio
- State Development, Infrastructure and Planning portfolio
- Treasury and Trade portfolio
- Health portfolio
- Education, Training and Employment portfolio
- Police and Community Safety portfolio
- Attorney-General and Justice portfolio
- Transport and Main Roads portfolio
- Housing and Public Works
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio
- Environment and Heritage Protection portfolio
- Natural Resources and Mines portfolio
- Energy and Water Supply portfolio
- Local Government portfolio
- Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services portfolio
- Science, IT, Innovation and Arts portfolio
- National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing portfolio
- Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and Commonwealth Games portfolio
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs portfolio