PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

The Hon. I.F. EVANS (Davenport) (14:36): My question that I was going to ask the Premier, I will reword.

The SPEAKER: That would be good.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. I.F. EVANS: Well, I didn't get to finish the question last time. My question to the Premier is: can he confirm that, across the forward estimates, this government is reducing the Public Service by 5,000 FTEs?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:37): I'll check that number. It is in that order of magnitude. It depends what the starting point is, but it is in that order of magnitude.