No decision made on public sector wages, Premier Peter Gutwein tells Parliament

Tasmania’s senior executives are copping a pay freeze, but no decision has been made about the broader public service, the Premier says.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

NO decision has been made to freeze or cut public sector wages, the Premier says.

Peter Gutwein on Wednesday announced a pay freeze for members of the senior executive service.

But he told Parliament yesterday the budget was in strife due to the pandemic and spending cuts were inevitable.

“In terms of the broader public sector, we will need to give consideration to the levers we utilise,” he said.

“Again, no decision has been made, and there has been no discussion within government concerning either a pay freeze or any other form of savings across the public sector.

“In coming weeks and months, we will need to sit down and look at some very difficult decisions, decisions I admit I do not look forward to, but we will need to do that.”

Labor Leader Rebecca White said Mr Gutwein’s “razor gang” had workers in its sights.

Labor Leader Rebecca White. Picture: ZAK SIMMONDS

“In Parliament today, the Premier refused to rule out a wage freeze for the very workers we relied on to help us through the worst of the COVID-19 crisis,” she said.

“Tasmania’s health workers, police, cleaners, teachers and park rangers have looked after us and kept Tasmania going for the past few months, and we owe them a great debt of gratitude.

“But despite the Premier’s praise for their crucial work during the pandemic, he is now considering freezing their wages.

“Only last year these workers finally won a pay rise that kept up with the cost of living. Now the Premier is thinking about putting that on ice.”

■ Yesterday, the Mercury printed an article stating the government would freeze SES wages. It should have referred to SES as Senior Executive Service, not State Emergency Service.