Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister Assisting the Minister for Tourism) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government has provided the following answer the honourable senator's question:

(1) In the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government staffing numbers have not been reduced as a result of the efficiency dividend or other budget cuts.

As advised at the Budget Estimates hearings 2011, the National Capital Authority has cut three corporate positions; an SES officer, APS6 and APS5. Of those, the SES position was directly attributed to the efficiency dividend.

(2) There are no plans for staff reductions in the Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government or in the National Capital Authority.

(3) The Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government currently has four graduates sourced from the Department of Infrastructure and Transport Graduate Program. The Department has an arrangement in place to be included in the PM&C Graduate Program for 2012. No reduction in graduate numbers for the duration of the 18 month program are expected. Graduates will be recruited by PM&C and undertake a rotation through the Department of Regional Australia while completing the formal PM&C Learning and Development Program.

Not applicable for the National Capital Authority.