Labor must come clean on Service NSW cuts
James Griffin
Member for Manly
Shadow Minister for Energy,
Environment and Climate Change Shadow Minister for Digital Government
The NSW Shadow Minister for Digital Government and Customer Service James Griffin is calling on the Minns Labor Government to come clean on the extent of cuts to the Service NSW ‘Business Bureau’.
In a shambolic display at Budget Estimates, Minister Jihad Dib, who is responsible for Service NSW, today contradicted evidence given by his Ministerial colleague a week earlier.
In an appearance at Budget Estimates last week, Minister Steve Kamper, the Minister for Small Business, was asked whether staff at the Business Bureau would be retrenched as part of foreshadowed cuts at Service NSW. Minister Kamper stated “they’re not being retrenched. I’ve got the Business Bureau fully funded”. When asked whether there would be any changes to the Business Bureau at all, Minister Kamper answered, “No.”
In stark contrast, Minister Dib today would not confirm that no retrenchments would be made to the team at the Business Bureau.
The Business Bureau provides essential support to small businesses during the current cost of living crisis. Since its inception in October 2023, it has dealt with 160,000 business inquiries and delivered more than 24,000 hours in personalised advice. However, the Minns Labor Government is now proposing an $11.7 million cut in funding to the Bureau, or 31% of its budget.
“It seems that no one is in control of the decimation of Service NSW. One Minister claims there will be no changes, the other Minister wouldn’t say the same. At the end of the day, there are hard -working staff who don’t know whether they’ll have a job once these guys sort out what is going on.
“Service NSW was once the shining light of citizen engagement and was envied right across Australia. Unfortunately, it looks like it is going through a world of pain under this Minns Labor Government,” Mr Griffin said.
“I am concerned that the Minns Labor Government have given up on pursuing the critical digital reforms initiated under the former Liberal and Nationals Government which would have continued to make life easier for citizens. Service NSW seems to be spiralling even further out of control under this Minns Labor Government. The Minister had a chance today to clarify whether they’re cutting more people or not, and instead his answer has just led to more confusion for staff at the Business Bureau.” said Mr Griffin.
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