The expansion of national security agencies announced in this year’s Budget may result in an increase in the Australian Public Service, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr believes – but he is concerned about plans to move APS agencies out of Canberra.
The Federal Government has announced it will increase the Australian Defence Force by up to 18,500 by 2040; Defence will increase by more than 3,000 staff in the next 12 months; and provide $9.9 billion over 10 years to significantly enhance Australia’s offensive and cefensive cyber and intelligence capabilities.
“We know we are living in a complex national security environment,” said Liberal Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja said.
Cybersecurity work could well involve ACT staff and contractors, University of Canberra politics expert Dr John Hawkins believes.
Staffing in the Treasury portfolio is expected to shrink, Dr Hawkins said (although much of this is in the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and might just be a reduction in temporary census workers), and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet is expected to expand.
Spending on higher education is budgeted to drop from $10.7 billion in 2021–22 to $10.4 billion in 2022–23 and 2023–24 – which may, he suspects, affect the ACT, given education is one of the Territory’s largest industries.
The outlook for scientific services, another large ACT industry, is better, Dr Hawkins believes, as the “digital business plan” could create more jobs in the sector.
“However,” Mr Barr said, “the continued push towards decentralisation of the Service through the creation of ‘regional hubs’ could have ramifications for the ACT’s economy in the medium term.
“The ACT Government is urging the Commonwealth to focus any ‘decentralisation’ from the congested capital cities rather than Canberra.”
Independent Senate candidate David Pocock was also concerned around staffing cuts to important service delivery agencies like Services Australia and plans to pursue decentralisation.
“If Canberrans put their trust in me to represent them as a Senator in the next term of parliament, I will fight against decentralisation of the public service every step of the way,” Mr Pocock said.
“Canberra is the national capital, and the public service should be here in the ACT.”
For more Budget news:
- Budget leaves ACT behind on infrastructure, says Chief Minister
- The Federal Budget: Easing the cost of living?
- Budget a missed opportunity for climate action, says Andrew Barr
- The Budget: a plan for a stronger future or an election campaign?
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