❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett about the 2% efficiency dividend savings in the Premier's department, six weeks into the financial year. Barnett deflects, stating it's the CEO's responsibility and the details will be in the mid-year review.
AnsweredQoN 402Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
STATE BUDGET 2012–13 —
Efficiency Dividend
402. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer the Premier to his government's two per cent
efficiency dividend and to the Premier's failure to outline anticipated
savings in his department during the budget estimates process, in which he
stated —
I would imagine by the start of
the financial year the department will have identified where it will make those
efficiency gains or savings.
I ask, almost six weeks after the start of the financial year
—
(1) What savings have been made by the Premier's
department?
(2) Where have savings been made by the Premier's
department?
(3) Will the
Premier direct his ministers to also outline in detail what agency savings have
been made and where —
Mr T.R. Buswell : The midyear review.
Mr M. McGOWAN : — and, if not,
why not?
Efficiency Dividend
402. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer the Premier to his government's two per cent
efficiency dividend and to the Premier's failure to outline anticipated
savings in his department during the budget estimates process, in which he
stated —
I would imagine by the start of
the financial year the department will have identified where it will make those
efficiency gains or savings.
I ask, almost six weeks after the start of the financial year
—
(1) What savings have been made by the Premier's
department?
(2) Where have savings been made by the Premier's
department?
(3) Will the
Premier direct his ministers to also outline in detail what agency savings have
been made and where —
Mr T.R. Buswell : The midyear review.
Mr M. McGOWAN : — and, if not,
why not?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3) We
are only a bit over a month into the new financial year. Government departments
will all be required to make that efficiency dividend saving. In my case, I
leave it to the CEO to do that. That is his job; it is not my job to
micro-manage the department.
Mr
M. McGowan : You should be able to answer it.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition had given me some prior
notice, I might have provided some information.
Mr
M. McGowan : I asked you in estimates and you said it would be ready by the
start of the financial year.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Estimates was before the start of the financial year.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am happy to answer the question.
As the Treasurer just interjected,
there is a midyear review process. In that midyear review, all those
efficiencies will be shown. That is what we do. I do not know what the Leader
of the Opposition used to do as a minister, but I do not see it as the job of
the minister to micro-manage the department. It is a set policy to provide
leadership and direction. The policy direction is that departments will find
savings of two per cent. That is their job.
are only a bit over a month into the new financial year. Government departments
will all be required to make that efficiency dividend saving. In my case, I
leave it to the CEO to do that. That is his job; it is not my job to
micro-manage the department.
Mr
M. McGowan : You should be able to answer it.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : If the Leader of the Opposition had given me some prior
notice, I might have provided some information.
Mr
M. McGowan : I asked you in estimates and you said it would be ready by the
start of the financial year.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Estimates was before the start of the financial year.
Several members interjected.
The
SPEAKER : Members!
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : I am happy to answer the question.
As the Treasurer just interjected,
there is a midyear review process. In that midyear review, all those
efficiencies will be shown. That is what we do. I do not know what the Leader
of the Opposition used to do as a minister, but I do not see it as the job of
the minister to micro-manage the department. It is a set policy to provide
leadership and direction. The policy direction is that departments will find
savings of two per cent. That is their job.
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