INDEPENDENT ACT Senate candidate Kim Rubenstein says she “deplores” the Morrison government’s decision to slash a further $3.3 billion from the public service to pay for its election commitments. 

Prof Rubenstein said the cuts – which were likely to mean thousands of job losses – would have a severe impact on the ACT economy and further undermine the ability of the public service to provide frank and fearless advice to the government. 

She said the decision underscored the need for her policy pledge to push for a doubling to four in the number of ACT senators if elected at the weekend. 

“We have to end the unhealthy duopoly between the Liberals and Labor that means the needs and rights of Canberrans are constantly being ignored or overridden,” she said. 

Fellow independent senate aspirant David Pocock said he believed the decision to extend the efficiency dividend and lift the rate by 0.5 per cent  was ill-conceived and he opposed it.

“While Budget repair is needed, it should not come at the cost of the APS. The pandemic has shown how vital it is to have a strong and well-resourced public service,” he said.