Subj : Poll: Slim majority agree with public sector job cuts
To   : All
From : News
Date : Wed May 01 2024 01:36 pm

The latest 1News Verian poll has revealed a slim majority of people agree
with the Government's public service job cuts.


Thirty-four per cent of those polled said the Government has got its cuts
right, with another 18% wanting the coalition to go further and cut more
public servants.


Thirty-five per cent said the Government is cutting too much from departments
and 13% said they didn't know, or didn't answer.


To date around 3500 people have lost their jobs, with the total expected to
reach around 7500. The Government said the cuts are about getting rid of
"backroom bureaucracy" and are part of a savings drive.

Speaking to Breakfast this morning, 1News business correspondent Katie
Bradford said she thinks people expected the poll to be slightly higher in
opposition to the Government's moves.


"It is having a big effect in Wellington and I guess it comes back to that
whole thing (that) if you're not affected, if it's not your family and
friends who're losing their jobs, you might be sitting there thinking that
actually, the previous government did spend too much money, it is too
bloated, there are too many people there."


She said people in the private sector are also losing their jobs, and things
will be tough for most of this year.

It comes as hundreds are set to rally across the country today on May Day.


Two major unions representing almost 40,000 workers are challenging the
Government on policies including 90-day trials, minimum wage increases below
inflation and thousands of public sector job cuts.


Those who work in logistics, finance, transport and hospitality are among
those represented.

Hundreds are expected to rally in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. It's
the first time "stop work meetings" will be held on May Day in at least a
decade.

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