individual and SM
My experience that every government that comes in on a promise to 'streamline' the public service inevitably ends up with cuts to actual services.

There is very little fat cut from the service, governments of the day only want the appearance of cuts, whether they actually affect services seems to be a minor concern.

The reason: they are too separated from the process of delivering these cuts and rarely assert their position to insist senior levels of management and the actual 'wah wah' programs are cut.

It is all about appearances. And then people wonder why they spend an hour on the phone waiting for a Centrelink officer or months-years processing immigration and security vetting applications, or cuts to social work services to people in need (the list goes on). It also means people's access to government is limited.

The ALP has lived up to it's efficiency dividend each year and it is a fuphy (same under the LNP) as any of the more senior roles that appear to be 'cut' are simply replaced with consultancies that come under a different accounting value or the remaining staff have to deal with impact of fewer staff to undertake not only the same amount of work but a growing workload in many cases given increases in population.

The Liberals will be no better. They will just make cuts willy nilly as under Howard, while forking out huge dollars to corporate and middle class welfare (pork barrelling). Happens every time and I cannot see that changing.

SM,

Tha answer to that is "clear and simple."
Look who you've got as your party's leader!

BTW: Did you watch "Q and A," last night.
Malcolme Turnbull - now there's a leader!

Dear rehctub,

Actually I didn't bring it up.
Shadow Minister did with this thread.

Cheers.

Dear Lexi,
The only things wrong with the Labor Government is based on Abbotts rumour/scare mongering that seemingly some stupid people believe.
Yes, I know that I said I won't be posting on anything to do with politics, just couldn't help myself one more time.
Cheers,
NSB

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/breaking-news/study-finds-cuts-to-federal-public-service-will-put-community-services-at-risk/story-e6freuz0-1226115191460
Belly,
What are these vital services Tony Abbott wants to cut ? Remember clutching at straws does not qualify as a service. Is the vital arts perhaps ?

Lexi,

Look who Labor has as a leader!

Abbott is still streets ahead of Juliar.

Individual, I am typing slowly, given your endless insults.
Seeming inability to think issues out.
I will not again respond to your questions/thoughts aimed at me.
Lexi while I am not predicting a Labor victory next election.
Watch question time.
Very clearly the worm has turned, to day the very body Language shouted Abbott is being unmasked.
It was always going to happen, his front bench parroted, yesterday too, his scripted insults and looked bad.
Unfortunately, his fall assured as it is, only foretells a better leader and harder task for Labor.