Although the government’s budget cuts to the Australian Bureau of Statistics have already forced 120 staff members out of their jobs, reports this afternoon are warning that another 80-100 jobs will be cut from the agency.
If true, this is more unwelcome evidence of the Turnbull-Joyce government’s war on information.
The government’s ideological obsession with firing public servants has blinded it to the important work of the Australian Bureau of Statistics. ABS staff produce data and analysis critical to the delivery of hospitals, schools, housing and public transport infrastructure.
Just six months ago Chief Statistician David Kalisch admitted that, “the ABS does not have the resources to undertake all the activities that fall within our legislative mandate that our users would like”?
He was making those comments after the Turnbull Government had left the position of Chief Statistician unfilled for nearly a year, attempted to cut the Census, appointed three ministers in a year who ignored the Census... and then acted stunned when the Census went wrong.
But in the light of these “unsustainable” cuts, last October must feel like halcyon days for the Bureau’s remaining staff.
After the worst-run Census in Australian history, the Turnbull Government is cutting its way to increased incompetence.
It’s working.
MONDAY, 20 MARCH 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: TAIMUS WERNER-GIBBINGS 0437 320 393
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