ABS jobs cuts 'puts data at risk': union

Essential economic data is being put at risk with more job cuts planned for the
Australian Bureau of Statistics, the public sector union says.
The Community and Public Service Union says the ABS has a goal of reducing
managerial positions by about 90 during the next 18 months with a similar reduction
in the number of staff at other levels, citing an internal staff email as evidence.
The cuts follow similar action in other public service agencies including
immigration, the tax office, parliamentary services, and the crime commission.
"It's disappointing to see the commonwealth join the growing parade of employers
shedding Australia jobs," CPSU national secretary Stephen Jones said.
An economic downturn was no time to cut essential jobs and services.
"Having good data on which to base your decisions is an essential part of responding
to the global financial crisis."
Cutting ABS jobs meant "flying blind" in the biggest economic storm in living memory.
On-going budget cuts at the ABS have already raised concerns about the accuracy of
labour market surveys, with some observers noting that smaller sample sizes had made
monthly changes in employment data more volatile.
"The only way to maintain these essential jobs and services is for this government
to abandon its annual 3.25 per cent efficiency dividend," Mr Jones said.