Question Without Notice No. 55 asked in the Legislative Council on 18 May 2017 by Hon Michael Mischin
Parliament: 40 Session: 1
PUBLIC SECTOR RESTRUCTURE
55. Hon MICHAEL MISCHIN to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
Having regard to the Premier's rationale for public sector restructuring —
(1) Identify the WA government's 41 departments and those in other jurisdictions that the Premier has used as a basis for his comparison of numbers.
(2) If the proposals are not merely the usual Labor politicisation of the public sector it undertakes after gaining government in WA, is there a business case or a cost–benefit analysis to support the extent of savings to be achieved and the efficiencies to be gained, and that there will be no reduction of services to the public?
(3) Will he, in the interests of the openness, honesty and transparency in government that he professes, table that business case or analysis; and, if not, why not?
(4) Given the silence of the public sector unions on the subject, what discussions have taken place between his government and union officials regarding the proposal, when did they take place and among whom, what information were they provided and what assurances were they given?
(5) Will those likely to lose their jobs be those who do not have union membership?
Hon STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
On behalf of the Leader of the House, I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Western Australia currently has 41 departments of state. This is more than any other Australian jurisdiction. South Australia has 22, Queensland has 20, New South Wales has 10 and Victoria has seven. I now table the document that shows that comparison. [See paper 209.]
(2)–(5) The McGowan government made an election commitment to a more efficient and effective public sector, delivering savings and better services for Western Australians. The silos, duplication, inefficiency and dysfunction are a legacy of the former government and there are efficiencies to be found and realised. We will continue to consult with public sector unions to ensure that these changes are managed appropriately.