The Public Service Association (PSA) has fiercely condemned Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis’ plan to freeze public sector hiring, labeling it a cowardly protection racket for highly paid executives and expensive outside consultants at the expense of everyday workers and services.

Under a pre-budget announcement, the Treasurer plans to axe 1,000 public sector jobs by simply not replacing staff when they leave.

PSA General Secretary Charlotte Watson said the government is targeting the wrong people to save a dollar.

“If the Treasurer actually wants to save taxpayers some money, he needs to look at the top floor, not the front line,” Ms Watson said.

“Last year alone, this government blew a massive $1.4 billion on outside contractors and consultants. Why are we paying top dollar for highly paid executives if they just hire expensive consultants to do their jobs for them? If these bosses need to bring in consultants to figure out how to run their departments, then they simply aren’t up to the job.”

“While executive ranks keep growing, ordinary workers are being pushed onto the unemployment queue or forced to shoulder impossible workloads. There is zero appetite to cut the fat at the top, but plenty of enthusiasm for cutting the workers who actually keep this state running.”

The PSA warns that leaving 1,000 everyday roles vacant will directly hurt South Australians.

“This isn’t a clever budget measure; it’s a job cut by another name, and ordinary punters will bear the brunt,” Ms Watson said.

“If you don’t replace child protection caseworkers, vulnerable kids are left at risk. If you don’t replace Service SA staff, you can’t get your license renewed on your lunch hour. If you cut corners on prison officers, communities become less safe.

“This is ‘headline policy’ designed to make the Treasurer look tough in the media, but it’s a disaster in real life. The government needs to stop protecting bloated executive budgets and start investing in the people who actually deliver the services South Australians rely on.”