Department plans to cut 64 jobs for efficiency

The Department of Internal Affairs is proposing to cut 64 jobs as part of ongoing cost-saving efforts. The department's secretary, Paul James, stated that these changes aim to improve efficiency and better serve communities and ministers. On Tuesday, the department announced plans to eliminate 180 positions while creating 116 new ones. This will result in a net reduction of 64 staff. Additionally, 69 fixed-term contracts that were set to expire in September will not be renewed, though officials clarified this decision was not related to the restructuring. James emphasized the need to streamline operations. He mentioned reducing management layers and avoiding duplication of work. He also reassured staff that he does not expect further major changes after this restructuring phase. The department will consult with its employees until April 15 and will finalize decisions by early June. Last year, the department faced significant job cuts due to government-saving targets, coinciding with the completion of large projects. Finance Minister Nicola Willis had asked all government departments to cut spending by a total of $1.5 billion amid challenging economic conditions. Internal Affairs was tasked with reducing its budget by 6.5 percent. The Public Service Association, represented by national secretary Fleur Fitzsimons, plans to oppose these cuts. She highlighted the department's essential role in serving the public and suggested that the latest reductions will make this mission harder to achieve. The Department of Internal Affairs handles various important tasks, including issuing passports and overseeing public safety in areas like gambling and internet use. Previous cuts had already impacted crucial services aimed at protecting children online and combating money laundering.