❓ Opposition Leader Barnett questions Premier Gallop about public sector job losses following government restructure, citing pre-election promises. Premier Gallop defends the restructure as necessary reform, emphasizing no involuntary redundancies and highlighting voluntary redundancies are possible under existing legislation.
AnsweredQoN 144Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC SECTOR, JOB LOSSES
I refer to job losses occurring as a result of the Labor Government’s restructure of the public sector and to Labor’s pre-election promise that apart from 60 senior executive positions, no other public service job cuts would occur. (1) Given that it has now been confirmed that more than 420 public servants have been offered redundancies since the Premier took office, can he inform the House whether redundancies have or will be offered to fewer senior public servants between levels 1 and 8? (2) Can the Premier advise the total number of redundancies that will be offered this financial year and next financial year? (3) What will be the approximate cost to the taxpayer of the Government’s public sector restructure, including the approximate budget for redundancy payouts? Dr GALLOP
I refer to job losses occurring as a result of the Labor Government’s restructure of the public sector and to Labor’s pre-election promise that apart from 60 senior executive positions, no other public service job cuts would occur. (1) Given that it has now been confirmed that more than 420 public servants have been offered redundancies since the Premier took office, can he inform the House whether redundancies have or will be offered to fewer senior public servants between levels 1 and 8? (2) Can the Premier advise the total number of redundancies that will be offered this financial year and next financial year? (3) What will be the approximate cost to the taxpayer of the Government’s public sector restructure, including the approximate budget for redundancy payouts? Dr GALLOP
AnswerView source ↗
I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
(1) Given that it has now been confirmed that more than 420 public servants have been offered redundancies since the Premier took office, can he inform the House whether redundancies have or will be offered to fewer senior public servants between levels 1 and 8? (2) Can the Premier advise the total number of redundancies that will be offered this financial year and next financial year? (3) What will be the approximate cost to the taxpayer of the Government’s public sector restructure, including the approximate budget for redundancy payouts? Dr GALLOP replied: I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
(2) Can the Premier advise the total number of redundancies that will be offered this financial year and next financial year? (3) What will be the approximate cost to the taxpayer of the Government’s public sector restructure, including the approximate budget for redundancy payouts? Dr GALLOP replied: I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
(3) What will be the approximate cost to the taxpayer of the Government’s public sector restructure, including the approximate budget for redundancy payouts? Dr GALLOP replied: I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Dr GALLOP replied: I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
(1) Given that it has now been confirmed that more than 420 public servants have been offered redundancies since the Premier took office, can he inform the House whether redundancies have or will be offered to fewer senior public servants between levels 1 and 8? (2) Can the Premier advise the total number of redundancies that will be offered this financial year and next financial year? (3) What will be the approximate cost to the taxpayer of the Government’s public sector restructure, including the approximate budget for redundancy payouts? Dr GALLOP replied: I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
(2) Can the Premier advise the total number of redundancies that will be offered this financial year and next financial year? (3) What will be the approximate cost to the taxpayer of the Government’s public sector restructure, including the approximate budget for redundancy payouts? Dr GALLOP replied: I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
(3) What will be the approximate cost to the taxpayer of the Government’s public sector restructure, including the approximate budget for redundancy payouts? Dr GALLOP replied: I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Dr GALLOP replied: I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
I find it extraordinary that the Leader of the Opposition has raised this issue today. Four reports were presented to the previous Government on the necessity to reform this State’s system of public administration. How would members define the system of public administration in Western Australia? There are too many departments, there were too many ministers, there is overlap and duplication; it must be changed. The Labor Party said before the election that it would change that system. We were up-front about it and we are now delivering on the promise to the people that we would change the system. I know exactly what I said before the election and it was that there would be no involuntary redundancies under this Government. Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Mr Barnett: No, read your policy. Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Dr GALLOP: I know exactly what was said because I was subject to a lot of questioning on this issue during the election campaign, as I should have been. There will be no involuntary redundancies. The Leader of the Opposition should know that the Public Sector Management Act 1994 makes voluntary redundancies in the public sector possible. That law was set up under the previous Government and it is a law under which we operate in Western Australia today. Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Several members interjected. The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Darling Range and the Leader of the Opposition will come to order. Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Dr GALLOP: The Leader of the Opposition is big on talk and big on the need to reform Western Australia to bring it into the twenty-first century. All that was heard when the coalition was in government. It did nothing. What happened as a result? Western Australia has a system of public administration that cannot meet the needs of the public. We will bring about these changes. The Public Sector Management Act allows for voluntary redundancies. We have sped up the process that we promised in the election campaign by the offering of a special management-initiated redundancy package for senior executives. There are no broken promises; it is quite the opposite. Every year 10 000 people leave the Western Australian public sector as a result of the normal processes of government. We are a Government that cares for people. We believe that we have the ability, the skill and the will to bring about the necessary changes that are so important for the future of Western Australia and at the same time make sure that we look after the people who work in the public sector. It may mean a different job or a different role in the public sector, but Western Australia today has a genuine Government of reform to make sure that we can meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
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