A WA parliamentary question seeks details on the implementation of recommendations from the Economic Audit Committee regarding streamlining payments and concessions to individuals. The government's response indicates broad support but lacks specific details, citing ongoing assessment and collaboration.

AnsweredQoN 1493Legislative Council
Asked
2 March 2010
Portfolio
Treasurer

QuestionView source ↗

I refer to the Economic Audit Committee Final Report Recommendation (9) to, ‘Streamline payments and concessions to individuals to:
(a) better target individuals most in need;
(b) reduce administrative costs through;
(i) consolidating processing and administration to a single point in Government;
(ii) exploring the aggregation of subsidies and concessions to individuals into a single transfer payment from Government.
(c) improve eligible users access, including through citizen centered information and communication technology solutions’,
and I ask -
(1) Has the streamlining of payments and concessions to individuals commenced?
(2) If no to (1), -
(a) when will the work commence; and
(b) who will do it?
(3) Has it been determined which payments and concessions will be streamlined?
(4) If no to (3), -
(a) when will it be determined; and
(b) who will do it?
(5) Has work commenced to determine which individuals will be defined as most in need?
(6) If no to (5), -
(a) when will the work commence; and
(b) who will do it?
(7) Has work commenced on consolidating processing and administration to a single point in Government?
(8) If no to (7), -
(a) when will the work commence; and
(b) who will do it?
(9) Has work commenced on exploring the aggregation of subsidies and concessions to individuals into a single transfer payment from Government?
(10) If no to (9), -
(a) when will the work commence; and
(b) who will do it?
(11) Has work commenced on improving eligible user’s access, including through citizen centered information and communication technology solutions?
(12) If no to (11), -
(a) when will the work commence; and
(b) who will do it?
(13) How will savings be achieved by implementing recommendation nine?
(14) What is the total expected savings to Government on an annual basis from recommendation number nine of the Economic Audit Committee?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
21 April 2010
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Treasurer
Response time
50 days
The Economic Audit Committee's (EAC) Final Report,
Putting the Public First
, was publicly released by the Premier and the Treasurer on 15 December 2009. In doing so, the Liberal-National Government fulfilled an election commitment to conduct a wide-ranging review of the financial and operational performance of the Western Australian public sector.  The Report makes 43 recommendations for reform across a diverse range of public sector functions and activities.
The Government is broadly supportive of the EAC's Report and its key reform directions. This year, the Government will start implementing recommendations contained in the EAC's report, particularly those that seek to drive reform in the social and community sector to ensure more effective delivery of support services. Proposals to implement recommendations will be individually considered on their merits by the Government, in the context of its broader policy objectives and priorities. As such, it is not possible to answer the specific questions asked by the Honourable Member in relation to each recommendation at this time.
Proposals to implement EAC recommendations will be developed in partnership with key people and organisations from across the public, community and private sectors as appropriate, as well as other levels of government.  This approach is entirely consistent with the key themes arising from the Report regarding collaboration and working in true partnership with people and organisations external to the public sector, drawing upon the expertise, ideas and knowledge they possess.  The Departments of the Premier and Cabinet, Treasury and Finance and the Public Sector Commission are driving this approach across government.
Timelines, cost estimates and the allocation of responsibility for progressing specific recommendations will be considered during the development of implementation proposals.
The EAC's recommendations were designed for the purposes of achieving the best possible outcome for the community and achieving maximum value for taxpayers' money, rather than the delivery of savings for Government. This is applicable across the range of recommendations made by the EAC, including those relating to the development of policy and performance information, the design of services, the management of funding arrangements with non-government service providers, the delivery of major infrastructure projects and the public sector's participation in key markets.  The focus on improved outcomes and value for money inherent in the EAC's recommendations aligns with the Government's commitment to ensuring that the whole community can share in the State's economic prosperity.
It is acknowledged that the potential for efficiencies is implicit in several recommendations made by the EAC, particularly those relating to the streamlining of administration and process.  The extent to which that is possible will be assessed on a case-by-case basis when implementation proposals are submitted to Government. The potential for efficiency notwithstanding, the EAC's recommendations were not designed to shift costs or cut jobs from the public sector.
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