Treasurer deflects claim Premier’s staff costs more than that of PM

THE cost of public sector staff in Premier Daniel Andrews’s department will rise 10 per cent over two years, with big blowouts forecast in all state departments.

THE cost to taxpayers of staff wages in Premier Daniel Andrews’ department will increase 10 per cent over two years, amid concerns about a bloated public service.

The Department of Premier and Cabinet employee costs will be $266 million next financial year, up from $242 million in 2016-17, Budget papers say.

Departmental financial statements show the largest two-year blowout will be in the courts, where a huge case load has forced the government to hire more staff and judges and costs will soar by 25 per cent.

The next largest percentage increase is at the health department, followed by state parliament, the education department, and the environment department.

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Treasurer Tim Pallas spruiked his economic blueprint during several events on Wednesday. Picture: AAP

The government’s big-spending Budget on Tuesday was criticised by Opposition Leader Matthew Guy on Wednesday who warned it was “built on a pack of cards”.

Treasurer Tim Pallas spruiked his economic blueprint during several events on Wednesday, and said $40 billion for roads, rail and school would help ease the squeeze of a growing population.

He defended rising wages costs, saying they were about recruiting staff to deal with an extra 150,000 people a year.

“We are now employing almost 500 more doctors, more than 2600 more nurses than three years ago,” he said.

“That is what we in this government call big government. We employ a lot of people to deliver the services that the community expects.”

On 3AW radio, Mr Pallas did not respond directly to questions about whether the army of employees Mr Andrews had was bigger than Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s office.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy warned the government was spending too much, and said everyday Victorians were losing out. Picture: AAP

The treasurer’s office was unable to provide a breakdown of how many extra frontline workers were being hired, or how much costs were being pushed up by pay rises.

Mr Andrews toured southeast Melbourne on Wednesday to spruik the Budget, including a plan for almost 50 TAFE or pre-apprenticeship courses that would be free in high-need areas.

The Premier said the $172 million initiative, along with $304 million for new classes for 30,000 training places, would set Victorians up for the future.

Mr Guy warned the government was spending too much, and said everyday Victorians were losing out.

He visited Glenn and Dayle Tasker in Carrum Downs, who said they both worked multiple jobs to make ends meet.

Ms Tasker said the high cost of living was “a significant chunk of our wages”.

“Electricity is always going up,” she said.

Opposition spokesman Michael O’Brien, who will offer a Budget response next Friday at a party event, said: “Labor has made Victoria the highest-taxing state in Australia.”

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