Tuesday, 14 January 2025 11:25

Cut the fat!

Written by The Hound

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OPINION: Finance Minister Nicola Willis has targeted cuts in the public service to balance the books, particularly the spend on consultants, drawing trenchant criticism from... consultants.

The Hound notes Willis set the public service a target of eliminating $400 million in operating expenditure on contractors and consultants by 2024/25.

In 2023/24, savings of $274 million were achieved.

Last year the public service was on track, after the first quarter, to achieve savings of about $500 million - savings forecast to continue over the next three quarters, which means savings over the two-year period could total more than $800 million.

It shows operational expenditure by departments on contractors and consultants fell a further 46% in the September quarter on an annualised basis.

Great news, unless you're an overpaid consultant!

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