News
Job cuts target Pt Lincoln health |
Thursday, 31 January 2008
More than 12 local health jobs will be lost in Port Lincoln as part of the Rann Government’s flawed Shared Services proposal.
The losses are part of about 110 public servant jobs across Eyre Peninsula that will be re-located to Adelaide at an estimated cost to the region of $32 million.
Under Shared Services, jobs in payroll, accounts, human resources, and information technology will be rolled into the one department based in Adelaide.
Shadow Public Sector Management Minister Stephen Griffiths said the job losses will financially and socially hurt many regional communities.
“It is heartless to be taking Government jobs out of regional communities during the worst drought on record,” Mr Griffiths said.
“Premier Rann should be looking to support communities by moving jobs into the area not gutting the regions.”
Mr Griffiths said a document from the Government’s Shared Services Reform Office, dated November 2007, indicates health will bear the brunt of job losses in Port Lincoln.
“The Government documents reveals six full-time equivalent positions, or about 12 people, will lose their jobs from the Port Lincoln Health Service,” Mr Griffiths said.
“However, the full extent of the losses in Port Lincoln might be greater as the report attempts to disguise the job cuts from other Government departments, such as Tafe and and SA Police. I’m concerned local services, particularly in health, will suffer as a result of these unnecessary cuts.”
Mr Griffiths said a study by the Murray and Mallee Local Government Association and the Murraylands Regional Development Board found the cost of axing 111 jobs in that region alone will cost $32.6 million.
“The devastating cost is not only in lost wages but also the flow-on financial and cost effects in these communities,” he said. “Sadly, I would expect a similar figure to flow from the cuts on Eyre Peninsula.
“South Australia is already suffering a major skills shortage in the regions and it is ridiculous that the Government wants to move people to Adelaide.”