Public service cuts and other illusions

By Richard Mulgan
Updated April 18 2018 - 11:15pm, first published April 2 2013 - 3:00am

All over Canberra, agency heads are contemplating the possibility of further cuts to their budgets after the next election. Quite apart from the Coalition's well-publicised threats to slice thousands from the Australian Public Service payroll, any prudent manager can see the fiscal logic that will face an incoming government. Revenue seems set to stay soft, while balancing the budget will continue to be a potent political imperative. Cutting spending will remain the overwhelming fiscal strategy.

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