SICK JOKE A DIS-GRACE

INDUSTRIAL Relations Minister Grace Grace has perpetrated a sick joke on Queensland and few outside the state public service are laughing.

Indeed the minister’s directive ordering all government departments to grant 20 days of fully paid “pandemic leave” on top of public service workers’ existing 10 days’ sick leave is an insult to workers in the private sector who have no such privileges and to small business, which remains a significant powerhouse of the Queensland economy.

Queenslanders looked on in concern when Treasurer Jackie Trad brought down the State Budget last month. People understood the need to invest huge amounts to fund a massive and growing health bill and in necessary infrastructure to improve road and rail transport – although the Gold Coast copped a raw deal. No privileges for us.

But what is frightening is the unfettered growth in the state public service, which has blown out since Labor rolled the LNP, despite promises increases would be held in line with population growth of about 1.75 per cent. Instead, the public service has been forecast to grow 7.4 per cent, and analysis of figures indicates the public sector workforce will hit 228,000 this coming year and keep climbing, possibly to 239,900 by 2021-22.

The public service wages bill is growing at more than $1 billion a year. Figures show it totalled about $22.8 billion for 2017-18.

State debt is forecast to hit $83 billion in four years, yet it is debt that is being used to fund much of the infrastructure bill. There is little choice when the public service is costing Queenslanders such huge amounts.

Ms Grace’s directive now adds huge insult to injury. What is this going to cost taxpayers? And is she for real?

“Pandemic leave” suggests a situation in line with the Apocalypse, but our protected species instead will be spared other horrors such as not being able to catch public transport to work or wondering what to do when their child’s daycare or school isn’t open, or when they’ve used up sick leave.

Fostering a massive increase in public servant numbers and adding this sort of nonsense to their perks smacks of pandering to the unions, cementing Brisbane as a power base and shoring up stocks for the next election. The public will be outraged.