Question On Notice No. 177 asked in the Legislative Council on 17 June 2021 by Hon Dr Steve Thomas
Question Directed to the: Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Community Services
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
I refer to the McGowan Government's Machinery of Government changes announced in April 2017 and implemented in the revamped Department of Community Services from 1 July 2017, and I ask:
(a) what has been the cost to the Department of the changes by financial year from 2017-2018 to date;
(b) what is the quantum of savings registered by the Department by financial year from 2017-2018 to date as a result of the changes;
(c) what reduction of senior executive service level staff occurred in the Department as a result of the changes; and
(d) what additional costs and savings have been budgeted for in the future as a result of the changes?
Answered on 12 August 2021
(a) Costs for Voluntary Targeted Separation Scheme (VTSS) separations in 2017-18 were detailed on pages 13-14 of the 2017-18 Annual Report on State Finances. Since then, the cost of ongoing VTSS separations incurred to 30 June 2021 as part of the transition to the Commonwealth run National Disability Insurance Scheme and the Department of Communities’ Machinery of Government changes total to $41.9 million.
All other costs relating to the Machinery of Government changes have been absorbed within Communities’ budget, are not separately identifiable and did not result in any additional request for appropriation funding.
(b) Gross savings total is $151.5 million to 30 June 2021.
(c) There was a reduction of 13 Senior Executive Service positions.
(d) A total of $10 million remains available to reimburse Communities for any residual VTSS costs that may emerge. Future annual savings now form part of the agency’s base budget and are not separately forecast on an ongoing basis.