Premier Weatherill must reveal the cost to taxpayers of the decision to axe 11 senior government executives in his Department.
Shadow Treasurer Rob Lucas said with several of the executives being paid more than $200,000 per year, individual payouts including termination payments and accrued recreation and long service leave could be more than $400,000.
One of these executives had only recently been appointed to a new job with a five year contract.
“Long serving public servants are furious that whilst they are being sacked, former Labor ministerial staffers like Rik Morris and Paul Flanagan have been dropped into executive positions,” said Mr Lucas.
“It should also be noted that Mr Weatherill’s new CEO, Kym Winter-Dewhirst, is also a former Labor ministerial staffer.
“These public sector executives accept that they don’t have tenure, but in the past it has been handled with a little bit of dignity for the staff who have lost their jobs.
“However, sources say that yesterday the executives were sacked on the spot and marched out the door. They were told their personal belongings would be sent to them.”
Mr Lucas said bitter personality clashes and serious financial problems were plaguing government departments.
“Contrary to Mr Weatherill’s promises we have seen increased politicising of the senior levels of the public sector as Labor mates and those with strong Labor connections are rewarded whilst loyal and apolitical public servants are purged.
“In many cases these political appointments are being done without advertisement and open competition.
“Mr Weatherill needs to explain why his Government makes it a priority to look out for Labor mates, but won’t give priority to looking after struggling South Australian pensioners.”