EASTERN suburbs public servants have spoken out about fears the Federal Government could join the "growing list of Australian employers laying people off".
The Community and Public Sector Union last week met with Chisholm federal MP Anna Burke seeking her to oppose any budget
cuts that could threaten Government jobs.
In Chisholm, 3513 people, including those at the Australian Tax Office, Centrelink, Medicare and Commonwealth Rehabilitation Service, work for the Federal Government.
CPSU deputy secretary Rupert Evans said the union feared the Government could keep reducing jobs and "weakening essential services" in communities across Australia.
"Now more than ever our community needs jobs and residents need essential services."
In a letter to Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner, Ms Burke said significant job losses in the public sector would " hamper
economic recovery in the long-term".
"In light of international economic circumstances, the 2008-09 budget will be extremely challenging in balancing fiscal prudence with essential spending measures across the Government's portfolios," she wrote.
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