The Public Service Association (PSA) accused the South Australian Government of avoiding an intensive analysis of its budget.

The finger-pointing follows the rescheduling of the parliamentary debate on the budget from October to September. PSA official Jan McMahon said, “This is unheard of. This is about rushing through legislation to take away workers' conditions of long service leave and recreation leave loading.”

The proposed budget will cut 3,743 public sector jobs especially in the education sector. McMahon emphasized, “We are talking about 90,000 members of the public service having their entitlements cut with no consultation, no negotiation... There should be the opportunity for the debate and for the public scrutiny. You don't rush legislation through unless you've got something to hide.”

The SA Government is aiming for a $5.8 million savings over four years. The parliamentary debate was first set to begin in the middle of October, but it was immediately reset for today until next week.

The 2010 - 2011 federal budget is expected to focus on a turnaround in the budget deficit, while keeping the commitment to raise allocations for overall foreign aid. Moreover, the federal government is expected to provide $US30 billion over two years to fund poor countries adapting to climate change.