The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade will cut 50 positions in Canberra and 10 from overseas posts as it grapples with a budget put under pressure by the coronavirus pandemic.
The Federal Opposition has slammed job cuts at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, accusing the Morrison Government of running down Australia's diplomatic network.DFAT will cut 60 positions — 50 in Canberra and 10 from eight overseas posts — through "natural attrition"
The department has told staff it will slash 60 positions as it grapples with budget woes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The department says it will not sack staff and believes it can reach the target by "natural attrition" — namely, not replacing staffers who are leaving the organisation.Labor's Penny Wong contrasted the cuts to DFAT with the Morrison Government's announcement it would spend $270 billion over a decade boosting Australia's defence capabilities.
"Labor welcomed Scott Morrison’s recent announcement on enhanced defence capability, that's critical. But it won’t be enough to deliver Australia's security and economic recovery," Senator Wong said. In a message sent earlier this week, acting secretary of DFAT Tony Sheehan warned staff that "the department's budget continues to be under significant pressure and this will only increase".
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