Six more public service agencies are being moved, including four from Canberra, as the Federal Government continues its push towards decentralisation.
Last night's budget unveiled a net gain of 900 jobs for the federal public service — but some cultural agencies such as the National Library and National Archives will shed positions.
Deputy prime minister Michael McCormack announced six government entities would be spread throughout the country, but did not detail how many jobs would be affected.
It follows then-deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce's decision during the 2016 election campaign to move the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) from Canberra to Armidale in his own electorate.
The authority had 198 staff at the end of June 2016. Since then, at least 110 of its employees have departed, including 33 regulatory scientists.
Last night Mr McCormack said as part of infrastructure measures within the budget, six more government agencies would be decentralised.
He flagged the Department of Infrastructure's Inland Rail Unit would move from Canberra to be set up in three separate locations — Toowoomba in Queensland, Dubbo in New South Wales and Wodonga in Victoria.
Infrastructure's Indian Ocean Territories offshoot is set to move from Canberra to Perth.
The Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations will move from Canberra to Darwin and the Unique Student Identifier Registrar will move from Canberra to Adelaide.
The Indigenous Affairs Group Regional Network from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, which is already split between Sydney and Melbourne, will move away from the cities, to Parramatta and Shepparton respectively.
Additionally, an Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner will be established in Adelaide.
Parliamentary Triangle parking increases $2 a day
ACT Liberal senator Zed Seselja described the budget as a big win for Canberra, saying most of the additional 900 jobs would be in Canberra.
He also pointed to additional money for the National Gallery and the National Capital Authority (NCA).
But the NCA boost will be paid for by increasing parking fees in the Parliamentary Triangle by $2 per day to $14 per day.
Mr Seselja said the budget included benefits for the Canberra economy and region, with $130 million for ICT upgrades for the Department of Home Affairs and the Bureau of Meteorology, as well as $200 million spending across the Barton and Monaro Highways.
"If you look at the overall picture for Canberra there are significantly more jobs, there is significant investment in infrastructure and massive investments in health and education," he said.
"All whilst delivering really significant tax cuts for Canberrans."
Labor MP for Fenner Andrew Leigh accused the Government of "pork-barrelling" jobs out of Canberra.
"I don't think anyone in the industry would describe the APVMA move as successful," he said.
"It doesn't pass the cost benefit analysis, it's bad for Australia and it's bad for Canberra.
"This continued exodus of public service jobs out of Canberra just isn't sustainable."
