Liberal Party’s Top Senate Hopeful Criticizes Dutton’s Proposal to Cut Public Sector as ‘Unattainable’ | Upcoming Australian Elections in 2025

Jacob Vadakkedathu, a Senate candidate for the Canberra Liberals, has criticized Peter Dutton’s proposal to cut 41,000 positions from the Australian public service in the ACT, describing the plan as “unrealistic” and “impractical.” Vadakkedathu asserts that if elected, he will challenge this policy, stressing that the proposed cuts from Canberra alone are unsustainable. Dutton has affirmed that these cuts will not affect “frontline” roles or positions related to national security and defence. Labor has voiced concerns about the potential impact on service delivery and wait times for support payments, arguing that such deep cuts could compromise essential services. The ACT is currently represented by independent David Pocock and Labor minister Katy Gallagher in the Senate, with Vadakkedathu aiming to reclaim a Liberal seat. Despite unaffiliated with the policy, he suggests that a Liberal senator from Canberra could effectively fight for the city’s interests. Dutton has also retreated from the Coalition’s plan to change work-from-home arrangements for public servants, after significant public backlash and pressure from Labor, who accused the Coalition of intending to extend these changes beyond the public sector to the private sector.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/01/act-liberals-senate-candidate-jacob-vadakkedathu-public-service-cuts