Fed: Oppn accuses Anthony of digging own grave on Centrelink

AAP General News (Australia)
08-04-2000
Fed: Oppn accuses Anthony of digging own grave on Centrelink

The federal opposition has accused Community Services Minister LARRY ANTHONY of digging
his own grave over planned staffing cuts at Centrelink.

Mr ANTHONY has accused Labor of planning sweeping job cuts at Centrelink if it wins
government at the next election.

He says KIM BEAZLEY should come clean about Labor's plans for Centrelink, with a newspaper
report claiming the ALP would cut around 4,000 jobs from the public service provider.

The ALP says the promise to rule out privatisation would secure the more than 18,000
jobs which the government says exist in Centrelink across Australia.

But Mr ANTHONY says Centrelink currently employs some 22,000 staff.

Labor family spokesman WAYNE SWAN says the government's figure for 2003-2004 is about
18,000, thus reflecting Mr ANTHONY's planned staffing cuts.

AAP RTV rft/wz/jn

KEYWORD: CENTRELINK (CANBERRA)

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