The coalition has dumped its controversial plan to force workers back into the office five days a week, stating that the parties have listened to voter concerns.
The change in stance comes one month after it was first announced.
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Shadow Finance Minister Jane Hume said working from home arrangements are part of “getting the best out of any workforce”.
Hume also said there will be no changes to it for the public service under a Coalition government.
The softened stance follows negative polling from Redbridge which showed the policy was particularly unpopular among female voters who may use flexible working arrangements to balance parenting duties.
It comes as Peter Dutton is expected to provide an update on the promise to slash 41,000 Canberra-based public servants, if elected.
It’s expected he will promise that cuts won’t come from forced redundancies. Instead, they will come from a staggered reduction over the next five years through “natural attrition”, including resignations, retirements and hiring freezes.
From what we know so far, key defence roles won’t be impacted.
The coalition has previously said these cuts won’t affect frontline workers in essential and critical services.
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