Welcome to Brisbane Times’ Queensland public sector column, Public Circus. This week: more budgets bear down, in-house consultants get cracking, an ombudsman out the door, and more. We’re deep into Queensland budget season and all eyes are on what is coming down the pipeline for the public sector – particularly, whether there’s likely to be any formal expansion of the Crisafulli government’s hiring freeze beyond senior bureaucrats. While the numbers in those non-frontline ranks have been capped at June 2025 levels, one recent job ad caught Circus’ eye. Queensland Treasury is looking to fill an executive role focused on “financial efficiencies”, as the Crisafulli government chases significant promises about the public sector and budget books. Matt Dennien Under Treasurer Paul Williams and his department are currently on the hunt for an assistant underling for “financial efficiencies”.…