Victoria to axe thousands of public service jobs as treasurer warns of ‘difficult decisions’

<p>Independent review asked to recommend cuts to public service to reduce workforce by 5%-6%</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/feb/20/australia-news-live-richard-marles-defence-china-png-pacific-election-cost-of-living-anthony-albanese-peter-dutton-nsw-vic-qld-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></li><li>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></li></ul><p>Thousands of public service jobs in Victoria are to be slashed after a review ordered by the state’s new treasurer, who has warned “difficult decisions” need to be made to bring the budget under control.</p><p>Jaclyn Symes and the premier, Jacinta Allan, on Thursday announced an independent review into the Victorian public service (VPS), to be headed by Helen Silver, a banking executive and former head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet under John Brumby and Ted Baillieu.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/feb/20/victoria-public-service-job-cuts-jacinta-allan-independent-review">Continue reading...</a>