Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Resources and Energy and the Minister for Tourism has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(1) The net financial effect on the Departments' 2012-13 budget of:

(a) the original 1.5 percent efficiency dividend was $0.160 million

(b) the additional 2.5 percent efficiency dividend was $2.095 million

(c) other saving measures as introduced in the 2012-13 Budget paper was $0.127 million

(2) The Department has set a balanced budget for 2012-13, which is regularly analysed and reported to senior management for their information and review. The Department will undertake budget reviews as required during 2012-13 to ensure the Department operates within budget.

(3) In 2012-13, staff costs represent approximately 65 percent of budgeted expenditure.

(4) The Department expects a small reduction in staff numbers in 2012-13. It is not possible to quantify at this time whether or not the Department will reduce its engagement of consultants, and/or contractors in 2012-13.

(5) In 2012-13, the Department is not expecting to execute any voluntary or involuntary redundancies.

(6) Current distribution of full-time equivalent staff across classification bands as at 30 September 2012 is as follows:

Classification Band

  Substantive