The last time the Liberal National Party (LNP) took power in Queensland under Campbell Newman, one of its first acts was to cut the state’s public service.
But newly elected Premier David Crisafulli, who ended Labor’s nine-year hold on power at the state election last weekend, has vowed he won’t follow suit.
Crisafulli was sworn in as Queensland’s 41st premier on Oct. 28, and immediately moved to reassure Queensland’s 250,000 public servants that their jobs were safe. Newman had taken about 14,000 people off the state’s payroll during his 2012-2015 term.
In what is believed to be his first official correspondence as premier, Crisafulli sent an email saying, “There will be no employment cuts to the public service workforce. Having seen the impact of job losses in the past on the productivity and morale of the public service, I will not be repeating those actions.”
Labor had claimed Crisafulli would slash the workforce if elected, citing the LNP’s economic plan—released just days before Saturday’s election—revealing changes aimed at saving almost $7 billion spent on consultancies and contractors.
But in his email, the new premier said his government would work with public servants to create a “one team approach” and that ministers would have “greater visibility” and spend time with public servants.
“A strong and stable public sector creates a strong and stable Queensland,” the email said.
“We have an ambitious and important agenda in the interest of Queenslanders, and you, the Queensland Public Sector, are vital to what we need to achieve.”
However, he warned there may be departmental leadership and structural changes.
He has already confirmed that David Mackie will be the new acting director-general of the Department of the Premier, replacing Mike Kaiser.
The Cabinet will be decided and sworn in later this week after results are confirmed in all seats.
The LNP is confident it has won 53 seats with counting so far confirming it will hold at least 48 to Labor’s 30.
The LNP needed 47 seats for a majority government. Before the election, it held 35 to Labor’s 51, with the latest election seeing both parties almost trading places.
Labor been the dominant party governing Queensland for 30 of the past 35 years.
‘Climbing a Mountain’: Crisafulli
Reflecting on his win, Crisafulli said, “Considering where we started from in historic terms, I said it was like climbing a mountain.
“Well it was like climbing a mountain ... weighed down with a backpack and in the sleeting snow.
“If you mean the electoral mountain, we’ve reached the top. If you mean doing what we need to do for Queenslanders, we’ve taken one very small step forward.”
He signalled an ambitious agenda, promising to pass legislation by Christmas to enact his “adult time for adult crime” policy which will mean juveniles face lengthy sentences for serious offences.
He also plans to introduce a 100-day review of 2032 Olympic Games infrastructure, deliver real-time health data, and scrap a payroll tax on general practitioners.
AAP contributed to this report
