The Minns Labor Government’s coward cuts to the bush go much deeper than initially thought, after it was revealed close to 230 staff were told they no longer have a job at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
The figure is an increase on its previous claims 165 roles would go following the consultation process.
NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said the move points to a complete lack of understanding of what our primary industries need.
“It feels like once again the Premier and the Agriculture Minister have been keeping secrets about the swift removal of these employees and the diabolical impact it will have on front-line services across regional NSW,” Mr Saunders said.
“We are talking about scientists, researchers, agronomists, irrigation specialists, and key staff to our emergency response that are being axed overnight.
“This decision is not just reducing a headcount but taking away years of knowledge and experience across a range of fields, and that’s something you simply can’t put a price on.
“It’s become abundantly clear the consultation process was nothing more than a facade and actually led to more people’s livelihoods being on the chopping block.”
There are also questions around why the mass removal is happening when there are massive gaps across some agencies, including the Rural Assistance Authority responsible for flood grants and the biosecurity team.
“At the very same time when people are being terminated, the government is pretending to uplift staff in certain areas, when the resources it currently has could be utilised,” Mr Saunders said.
“The pretence of this Minister and the Minns Government is staggering and those being impacted deserve an explanation.”
