LNP Leader says he ruled out mass public service redundancies 18 months ago

David Crisafulli says he ruled out mass public service redundancies under an LNP government as far back as 18 months ago and says he instead wants to “empower’’ public servants.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says he ruled out mass public service redundancies under an LNP government as far back as 18 months ago and says he instead wants to “empower’’ public servants.

“I put forward our plan for the public service, and clearly ruled out redundancies,’’ he said.

“What I want from the public service is to realise that there is a better way for them and we want to empower them.

“We want them to be able to do their job free from the culture of entrenched fear that we’ve heard a lot about.

“I want the public service to know that we are determined to end the days of farming everything out to the big four (consultants), we want to get traineeships again and do lots of them so young people can see a career path.

HOW TO WATCH LIVE: COURIER-MAIL/SKY NEWS PEOPLE’S FORUM

“They can do a bit of work in the private sector and take those skills back to the public service.

“We want people doing regional (work) stints. We want a world class public service and we do need more doctors and nurses and teachers — and police officers.’’

He also promised them that they would be able to provide “fearless and frank’’ advice under ministers with a clear vision for their departments.

“I want the public service to know that the environment they’re working under at the moment doesn’t have to be that way (a fearful culture),’’ he said.

“It’s going to get back to a time when the public service was able to do its job free from that controlling hand that we’ve seen in recent times from the Labor Party.’’

Mr Crisafulli was responding to a question from The Courier-Mail reader Ross of Camp Hill.

Premier Steven Miles, when asked Mr Ross’ question “does the public service have anything to fear from your government in terms of redundancies or amended working conditions including flexible work arrangements?’’, he replied with an emphatic no.

“The only thing Queensland public servants have to fear is David Crisafulli and the LNP,’’ he said.

“Let’s remember that in 2012 they said public servants had nothing to fear, including losing their jobs.

“They had a government that refused to bargain with them and saw their wages go backwards.

“I have a proud history of supporting our public service.

“I was an official at the Public Sector Union for a very long time and in government have helped to deliver some of the best working conditions to our public servants including, most recently, expanding reproductive leave.’’

Originally published as LNP Leader says he ruled out mass public service redundancies 18 months ago