The Minns Labor Government’s planned public sector job cuts will be devastating to hard-working local families and the economy.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the shocking planned cuts to jobs at TAFE, Transport for NSW, and Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) are deeply concerning for local families.

“The Minns Labor Government are planning to slash jobs in regional NSW, devastating hard-working locals who now face an uncertain future,” Mr Anderson said.

“To grow our local economy, the government must invest in regional jobs and economic development, and instead, the government are ripping jobs away from our regions and relocating them in the city.

“This is unacceptable, unjustifiable, and further evidence that regional NSW is not a priority for Chris Minns and the Labor Government.

“This announcement comes as a complete shock to local workers and I’m calling on the government to reverse the cuts.

“The impacts of this decision will be significant, and I am deeply concerned about the uncertainty and worry the government’s cuts are having on our community.

“Farmers that rely on the support and expertise of department staff have already raised concerns about the job losses.

“The cuts to TAFE come at a time where local businesses are frustrated by the lack of courses offered in the region, which is impacting on their ability to attract and train qualified staff.

“I’ve been pushing to bring local control back to TAFE New England, with a local boss who has a strong understanding of our community and the needs of local students and businesses.

“I’m concerned the Labor Government’s cuts to jobs at Transport for NSW will derail our local road network, which is already under significant pressure. We are already waiting far too long for major road projects like Goonoo Goonoo Road to start.

“The Labor Government must urgently come clean about what jobs will be affected and must not cut jobs for hard working people in our region.”