The Treasurer has just brought down the 2025-2026 State Budget.  Amongst several new funded initiatives that will need to be delivered by our Victorian Public Service workforce, the budget also signalled in the announcement that a number of lapsing programs will not be funded going forward.

The Government seems to have forgotten about certainty for their own workforce in a budget focussed on cost of living measures to assist Victorian workers and their families, as there was no details of what specific programs are lapsing in the Budget.

The lack of any details is staggering and disappointing therefore, CPSU has written immediately to all Departmental Secretaries requesting the full list of their lapsing programs from each portfolio and the numbers of staff affected in their areas.

I refer to the 2025-2026 Victorian Budget currently being presented by the Treasurer.

I am advised that you all have the list of programs that are to be cut or that are lapsing as a result of this budget.

I have been advised to request the full list from each of you for both your Departmental outlays and the agencies and programs under your portfolios.

In addition, I request the numbers of staff affected by the budget and who are going to be terminated because of these decisions.

I request the information prior to you issuing bulletins to your staff so we can provide advice to those affected.

I also remind you of your obligations to consult with the union and its members as per our VPS EBA.

Government must comply with their legal obligations under all our Agreements with them including offering staff in the affected programs redeployment opportunities into priority initiatives.

This has been confirmed just now by the Secretary of the Premiers Department in his communique to staff circulating across Departments.

We will work with our members to mitigate impacts of any decision.

Standing up for Services and protecting every job is our focus.

The Silver review has not been released as its not due to report until June 30th.

Their are no proposals arising from it in the public domain now but our request through FOI to get a copy of the interim report was rejected after it went to Cabinet although mentions of it contents was made by the Treasurer in her press conference.

"What I found compelling in Helen's additional work is that Victoria had 500 entities and 3,400 public boards," Ms Symes said.  "You can't tell me there's not some fat in that."

The focus of this Silver Sector Review is the structure of the broader public sector.

Discussions will be ongoing once the details are public.

Every job is important and if the Government is going to support workers and their families it needs to include its own workforce.

If you or your colleagues are concerned or are affected, join the union and help us help you.

In Unity,

Karen Batt
CPSU Victorian Branch Secretary