❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks details on the implementation of Economic Audit Committee recommendations regarding industrial relations, specifically standardisation of awards and decentralised services. The government's response is non-committal, stating proposals are under consideration and timelines are not yet defined.
AnsweredQoN 1479Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Economic Audit Committee Final Report Recommendation (37), Pursue the following reform proposals separately in the context of the outcomes of the Amendola review of the industrial relations system:
(a) accelerate the standardisation, simplification and rationalisation of industrial awards currently being pursued by the Department of Treasury and Finance and the Department of Commerce, without disadvantage to existing employees; and
(b) a decentralised service model for industrial relations services, with ongoing advice on the identification and realisation of efficiency and productivity opportunities provided by out-posting Department of Commerce officers within Agencies with large occupational groups’,
and I ask -
(1) How is it planned to accelerate the standardisation, simplification and rationalisation of industrial awards currently being pursued by the Department of Treasury and Finance and the Department of Commerce, without disadvantage to existing employees?
(2) When will acceleration of these industrial awards commence?
(3) What are the industrial awards currently being pursued by the Department of Treasury and Finance and the Department of Commerce?
(4) Where will the decentralised service model for industrial relations services be located?
(5) How many decentralised service locations are there expected to be?
(6) What are the initial costs in decentralising industrial relations services?
(7) How cost-effective is it estimated to be in the long-term?
(8) How many Department of Commerce officers are expected to be located within Agencies with large occupational groups?
(9) How will savings be achieved by implementing recommendation 37?
(10) What is the total expected savings to Government on an annual basis from recommendation number 37 of the Economic Audit Committee?
(a) accelerate the standardisation, simplification and rationalisation of industrial awards currently being pursued by the Department of Treasury and Finance and the Department of Commerce, without disadvantage to existing employees; and
(b) a decentralised service model for industrial relations services, with ongoing advice on the identification and realisation of efficiency and productivity opportunities provided by out-posting Department of Commerce officers within Agencies with large occupational groups’,
and I ask -
(1) How is it planned to accelerate the standardisation, simplification and rationalisation of industrial awards currently being pursued by the Department of Treasury and Finance and the Department of Commerce, without disadvantage to existing employees?
(2) When will acceleration of these industrial awards commence?
(3) What are the industrial awards currently being pursued by the Department of Treasury and Finance and the Department of Commerce?
(4) Where will the decentralised service model for industrial relations services be located?
(5) How many decentralised service locations are there expected to be?
(6) What are the initial costs in decentralising industrial relations services?
(7) How cost-effective is it estimated to be in the long-term?
(8) How many Department of Commerce officers are expected to be located within Agencies with large occupational groups?
(9) How will savings be achieved by implementing recommendation 37?
(10) What is the total expected savings to Government on an annual basis from recommendation number 37 of the Economic Audit Committee?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
21 April 2010
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary representing the Minister for Commerce
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.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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