We will meet 16,500 job cut target: Abetz

New jobs figures show the Abbott government is well on the way to cutting 16,500 public sector jobs.

The number of federal public servants has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 10 years.

And the government says it is on target to reach an even lower number ahead of schedule.

In the 18 months to December the size of public service was reduced by 14,414.

Employment Minister Eric Abetz says the number of public sector jobs now totals 152,606, the lowest it has been since 2006.

The coalition pledged to slash the public service by 16,500 jobs by 2016-17.

"The government will now meet this target ahead of schedule," Senator Abetz said in a statement on Wednesday.


Share

1 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world