RESTRUCTURES TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SERVICE EFFICIENCY

ACT Public Service agencies will undertake a range of structural reforms to improve their efficiency under the 2005-06 ACT Budget.

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said the Chief Executives of ACT Government agencies had informed him that, as part of this process, the Public Service could be reduced by around 260 positions over the next two years.

A fund of $18.3 million — $12.3 million in 2005-06 and $6 million in 2006-07 — has been established under this year’s ACT Budget to carry out the restructures.

“It’s important that the ACT Public Service keeps up to date with the rest of Australia and carries out its business in a productive and efficient manner,” Mr Stanhope said.

“While some ACT Government agencies will reduce their number of staff, the delivery of services to the community will not be affected.  

“There will be no forced redundancies.  Staff and unions will be consulted before any restructuring takes place.

“I will be advising the Chief Executives of all ACT Government agencies to ensure that any staff member who is excess to requirements has the opportunity to apply for other suitable vacant positions and transfer as soon as possible.

“If staff members need short-term training to bring them up to speed in their new positions, this will be provided.  Where suitable positions are not available, financial counselling will be offered to those staff members who choose to take a voluntary redundancy.”

Mr Stanhope said the Chief Minister’s Department would issue guidelines on how the restructuring should proceed.

“It is important that the whole process, from start to finish, is a transparent one, and that staff are kept informed about what is happening,” he said.

“I will be receiving regular reports from agencies on their restructuring.  I will not only be looking at the savings achieved but the numbers of staff who are excess, and the number of staff who have been redeployed.”
Statement ends