A potential Coalition government in Australia has announced a commitment to require all public servants to work in the office five days a week. Jane Hume, a Liberal senator and finance spokesperson for the opposition, highlighted that this policy would be an expectation under a Dutton-led government. This initiative emerges amid Peter Dutton’s claim that reducing public sector jobs by 36,000 could save the government $6 billion annually.
While Hume clarified that exceptions to this new rule could be made on an individual basis, they will only be implemented where they serve the greater good, rather than imposed by an individual within teams. She articulated that this approach aims to instil a productive culture among public sector workers, promoting the dignity of public service—an entity funded by taxpayer dollars.
However, the feasibility of enforcing such a policy may take years to materialise. Current agreements, which were established in 2023, grant Australian Public Service employees the right to work from home. These contracts are not set to expire until 2027, which poses challenges for the Coalition’s ambitious timeline.
This proposal has drawn criticism from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who accused the Coalition of adopting overseas strategies without consideration for local contexts. He emphasised the need for “Australian policies for Australian conditions,” asserting the country’s unique position and the inappropriateness of mimicking foreign practices.
Dutton added that the policy is not discriminatory towards women, stressing that expectations for public servants to return to their offices in Canberra are essential and non-negotiable under his leadership.