Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you for that question, Senator Barnett. Agencies have identified initiatives totalling more than $100 million in 2009-10 and more than $290 million in 2010-11 ongoing—and this is one aspect of your answer—to reduce their information and communication technology spending. Half of these savings will be reinvested in projects, just to give you an indication. The government is confident that the Australian public service’s lead role in policy development is absolutely central. The government is committed to the development of evidence based policy making, with policy design and evaluation driven by analysis of all available options. Governments of different persuasions over a long period of time have used consultants, and that should not be seen as a vote of no-confidence in the public service. There are many circumstances in which it will be more effective to engage consultants—for example, for the provision of legal services. As the Minister for Finance and Deregulation stated—