The Australian Services Union has branded the Social Services Minister Scott Morrison's first act of slashing $240 million from the sector a savage attack on vulnerable families.
ASU Assistant National Secretary Linda White said that the irony of Abbott's announcement that the cabinet reshuffle signified the Government was going to be about families and jobs was not lost when Scott Morrison's very first act was to attack families and abolish thousands of community sector jobs.
"Significant cuts to community services mean that many services that support families and people with disabilities will be winding up at Christmas.
"This comes at a time when so many Australian families are facing crushing cost of living pressures.
"This is a heartless and soulless decision from the Minister with a track record in cruelty.
"This is the beginning, and it's no surprise the announcement has been made so close to Christmas. Under Scott Morrison it's always the vulnerable first, but who is next?
"The ASU estimates that 2500 community sector workers across Australia will be out of work. These dedicated professionals will be informed of their employment future right before Christmas.
"Advocacy organisations that represent the homelessness and people with disability will be completely defunded from July 1 next year.
"The list of cuts is a shocking insight into the little value Abbott's Government sees in helping Australia's vulnerable.
"$21 million ripped from homelessness support, cuts to mental health programs and carers, early intervention for families where the child is at risk, as well as services to help families with their finances will just be the beginning of a sustained attack on struggling Australian families and the support they need every day.
"We call on all political and community leaders to condemn this attack on Australian families," Ms White said.