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Government’s crude budget cuts squeeze DOC further

Government’s crude budget cuts squeeze DOC further

Axing over 100 jobs from the Department of Conservation (DOC) will undermine its effectiveness in protecting New Zealand’s natural environment and heritage, says the country’s biggest union, the PSA, which represents over 1,500 DOC members.

There have already been significant job losses at the Department’s National Office and Conservancies after $54 million over four years was slashed from DOC’s budget in 2009.

The new job losses announced today are part of an on-going review process that will see further job cuts and service impacts as the Department struggles to meet Government savings targets.

“Shedding over 100 jobs will impact on delivering the vital services the Department is tasked with providing – such as species protection, pest control, conservation advocacy and concession processing for business operators, many of which are in the tourist industry, one of the country’s biggest earning sectors,” says the public sector union’s National Secretary Brenda Pilott.

“The PSA recognises the budget pressures DOC is under which mirrors those of other government departments. We have been working together with the Department in good faith and will continue to do so.

“Following the 2009 budget cuts, both DOC and the PSA collaborated to find savings and efficiencies that could be ploughed back into frontline conservation work.

“But the benefits being worked on through that process - bringing about the best value for the public in terms of services delivery – are now being undermined by further Government cuts to public services.

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“After cutting over a billion dollars across public services from this year’s Budget and setting new savings targets on individual departments, the Government has turned DOC’s efficiency drive into a purely cost driven exercise,” says Ms Pilott.

“New Zealanders want their land, waters and species protected and entrust DOC with this vital task. Eroding the Department’s resources will impact its ability to meet this huge responsibility.

“The government needs to invest in DOC because that’s an investment in the future of our unique natural environment, the preservation of national taonga and economic benefit for New Zealanders,” says Ms Pilott.

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