Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Kroger for this, her very last question in this place. Finding innovative approaches to improving public sector productivity is an ongoing focus of the Australian Public Service, but innovation has to occur in a context of sustainability. Unsustainable wage rises simply put jobs at risk. For instance, the 12 per cent wage rise currently being sought by the CPSU and ASU put the jobs of at least 10,000 public servants at risk. I suggest that the CPSU and the Centre for Policy Development be truly innovative by acknowledging the need for taxpayers' money to be spent in a sustainable way, something to which Senator Kroger has devoted her time in this chamber.