While the Allan Labor Government puts the squeeze on hospital funding, is overseeing crumbling roads, police and teacher shortages, a mental health crisis, and will soon be paying $25 million per day in interest – it has managed to increase the public service by 94.6% over the past 10 years.
Gippsland East Nationals’ MP, Tim Bull, said government data shows that between 2014 when Labor took office and 2023, the population rose by 16.4%, (5.84m to 6.40m) but the public service full time equivalent (FTE) staff grew by nearly six times that amount.

“The public service figures provide an astounding comparison:

June 2014
Employees 30,624
FTE staff 27,888
Exec staff 647

June 2023
Employees 57,386
FTE staff 54,760
Exec staff 1,949

“Not only have we had a full-time equivalent staff increase of 96.4%, but the number of executive staff on much higher wages has grown from 647 to 1,949 – an increase of 201%, which has meant wages in the public sector have doubled,” Mr Bull said.
“These figures are from the Labor Government’s own “State of the Public Sector” report and are staggering when one considers the population growth is minor in comparison. It shows just how wasteful this government is.
“This, at a time when we have hospitals across the state being told they have to cut costs by Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas and are reducing staff as a result.
“Some hospital employees have even been told in memos to turn off the lights when they leave a room to save money, and we see our roads crumbling before our own eyes with less funding than five years ago.
“Meanwhile the Allan Government Ministers surround themselves with bureaucrats and jobs for mates,” he said.
“In relation to the $25 million per day the government will soon be paying in interest alone (Labor figures), it could probably start by looking at its own backyard first if it wanted to save some funds – rather than ask it of our essential health services.”

Five local sporting clubs will benefit following successful grant applications in the latest Victorian Sporting Club Grants Program.
The Nationals’ State MP for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said he was thrilled to see East Gippsland sporting clubs awarded amongst the 400 selected statewide, that will help remove barriers and boost engagement through participation.
The following clubs were successful in attracting funding:
• Swifts Creek Pony Club ¬- for activity initiatives
• Buchan Football Netball Club – for uniforms and playing equipment
• Bairnsdale Scout Group – for water sport activities
• Metung Swan Reach Cricket Club for access and engagement – to deliver physical activity initiatives for people with an intellectual disability.
Mr Bull congratulated the clubs for the successful applications, noting they were richly deserved, and looks forward to seeing the positive impact this funding will deliver for local participants.
“It is fantastic to have such a diverse range of sporting groups selected, all dedicated to bringing down the costs of being involved in sport,” Mr Bull said.
“With the cost-of-living pinching household budgets, now more than ever, it is great to see community groups sourcing initiatives to make sport easier and more accessible for everyone.”

Monday, 1 July 2024