Hobart’s Eastern Shore and wider Tasmanian communities are watching closely as the state’s Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the axing of its dedicated in-house wellbeing service for employees. The decision, attributed to ongoing budget pressures, has drawn strong condemnation from union representatives who fear it will exacerbate staff stress and lead to higher turnover and psychological injury within the justice system.
The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) has been vocal in its opposition, highlighting that a recent survey of its Department of Justice members revealed 97 per cent reported the Wellbeing Hub had helped them remain at work and better manage workplace challenges. The union argues that justice workers perform difficult, demanding, and often traumatic duties, deserving robust support rather than service cuts.
This move by the Department of Justice is part of a broader state government initiative to achieve a $300 million “efficiency dividend” across all departments. As reported by ABC News, the Tasmanian government plans to cut 1,700 public sector jobs by 2030 through natural attrition and negotiated voluntary redundancies, with the Department of Justice and Emergency Services facing a combined $140 million in cuts. Treasurer Eric Abetz has described the budget as “tough,” aiming for short-term pain to balance the state’s books and achieve a fiscal surplus.
Concerns about public sector wellbeing and staffing levels are not new in Tasmania. ABC News has previously reported on significant mental health challenges faced by first responders, including a notable increase in police officers on leave due to mental health compensation claims. In May 2026, Tasmania Police stated that 102 officers were off duty on such claims, a rise from 49 officers in 2021. A coroner’s recommendation for mandatory six-monthly wellbeing screenings for police officers has not been implemented.
The broader context of mental health service provision in Tasmania has also seen recent challenges, including the closure of the Hobart Clinic, a major private mental health inpatient facility, in late 2025, though it was later offered a six-month funding lifeline.
Opponents of the justice department’s decision warn that reducing support services for staff in high-pressure roles could have significant flow-on impacts, potentially affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system and, by extension, community safety.
Readers seeking more information on this development are encouraged to refer to the original reporting by ABC News Tasmania.