Prime minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull (C), Minister for Defence, Senator Marise Payne and Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne. Photo: Scott Barbour/ Getty Images.Overseas allowances for Australian government employees have been cut by $37 million over four years.
According to the government, the move, announced in the 2017 federal budget, “will result in a more balanced, fair and consistent package of remuneration across agencies” and “better align with community expectations”.
The cost of this measure will be met from within the existing resources of the Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio.
The $37 million will be redirected to repair the budget and fund policy priorities.
More budget coverage:
- BUDGET 2017: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
- NEW TAX, BONUSES HELD FOR YEARS: Australia’s top bankers are the budget’s biggest losers
- A new visa will let citizens bring their foreign-born parents to Australia for up to 5 years
- How the 2017 budget will affect millennials who like smashed avocado toast
- People who smoke ‘rollies’ because they think it’s cheaper are about to be taxed the same amount as packet cigarettes
NOW WATCH: Money & Markets videos
Business Insider Emails & Alerts
Site highlights each day to your inbox.
Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.