Rockliff chose Abetz to do his dirty work

Eric Abetz spent years in Canberra cutting jobs. Premier Rockliff has brought him home and put him in charge of doing the same thing to Tasmanians.

It is no accident. Of everyone in his Cabinet, the Premier chose the Liberal with the longest record of cutting jobs to lead a $1.5 billion cost-cutting exercise that has at least 1,700 Tasmanian workers on the chopping block and rising.

Eric Abetz has pointedly refused to rule out forced redundancies. The Premier tried to soften that message - but yesterday, the Government took the first step towards sacking over 100 Tasmanians.

That’s on top of the jobs that have already gone through voluntary redundancies, not filling vacant roles and cancelling fixed term contracts.

Every one of those 1,700+ jobs are held by a Tasmanian worker, and every one of those workers has a family wondering how much longer they’ll have an income.

Workers we spoke to after yesterday’s briefing say they’ve never felt more stressed, and uncertain about their future - waiting for a tap on a shoulder telling them they’re next for the chop.

After 13 years, Tasmanians are paying for Liberal waste with cuts to jobs and services, thanks to Jeremy Rockliff choosing to put Eric Abetz in charge.

Premier Rockliff must rule out forced redundancies today. Tasmanian workers deserve a straight answer, not more dodging.