Job cuts in Queensland’s public sector will begin next week, starting with temporary contract workers, Premier Campbell Newman says.
“We are tightening our belt, we’re saving money for Queenslanders and we are doing it in the head offices, generally speaking,” Mr Newman told AAP on Thursday.
Mr Newman confirmed temporary and contract workers would be the first to go, in what were tough but necessary steps.
“It’s about cutting down the bureaucracy … so we don’t put pressure on people’s household budgets through fees and charges and taxes,” he said.
“And (it’s about) trying to release money for frontline services.”
Mr Newman told parliament last week there were 20,000 too many public sector jobs.
A commission of audit led by former federal treasurer Peter Costello reports state debt is heading for $100 billion by 2018/19.