Austerity measures targeting Queensland public sector would cost economy $9bn over three years

A freeze on government wages would hit regional and female workers hardest and would be deeply damaging', a new report says

Freezing public sector wages would cost the Queensland economy $9bn over three years, according to a new economic analysis that warns of the deeply damaging" results from any austerity measures targeting government workers.

The report, released on Friday by the Australia Institute's Centre for Future Work, says women workers and those in regional areas would be hardest hit by governments who seek to balance economic stimulus with cuts to the government sector.