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TWO public sector jobs in Bendigo are on the line following revelations of cuts to the Federal Government's Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development's regional offices this week, it has been confirmed.
About 1200 staff across the department's regional offices were notified about changes to the Regional Development Australia program and the scrapping of the National Disaster Recovery Taskforce via email on Monday.
The email warned staff of the "significant impact" on a number of divisional staff as a result of the changes and the need for the department to "position" itself to determine the "future viability of our regional and state-based operations".
It also stated a shortfall in work expected as a result of the drop in regional programs was unlikely to lead to extra hands on deck in Canberra, despite plans to administer more departmental work from the capital city.
"If we took this approach, the Hobart, Wollongong and Bendigo offices would close by 30 June 2015 and the Newcastle and Orange offices would close by 31 January 2016," the message stated.
However, on Tuesday a departmental spokesperson watered down suggestions the Bendigo office or other regional offices would shut entirely.
"No decision had been made in regard to the closure of departmental offices," the spokesperson said.
"Two departmental staff are potentially affected in Bendigo. Up to 20 staff are potentially affected across all regions."
The spokesperson later confirmed there were only two department staff based in Bendigo.
The spokesperson said Bendigo's regional infrastructure plans would not be affected by the changes.
"Funding for all 55 Regional Development Australia Committees Australia-wide, including the Loddon Mallee Regional Development Australia Committee, and their staff, remains in place.
"Administrative support to Regional Development Australia Committees will also remain in place."
Member for Bendigo Lisa Chesters said the announcement was yet another in a series of public sector job losses for Bendigo.
"Since the Liberals came to power we have seen job cuts at the Bendigo Australia Post, Centrelink, the ATO, the AEMI and now the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development," she said.
"For the central Victorian economy to be strong, we need public sector jobs.
"This continues a very bad trend for central Victoria amid increasing insecurity in the public service under the leadership of Mr Abbott and (deputy) Mr Truss."
- with The Age