Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and the Minister for Disability Reform; Minister for Housing and Homelessness; and Minister for Community Services and Minister for the Status of Women provides the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

( 1 ) For the 2012-13 financial year, the net effect on the department ' s budget of:

(a) The original 1.5 per cent efficiency dividend is $8.9 million.

(b) The additional 2.5 per cent efficiency dividend is $11.5 million.

(c) Other savings measures as introduced in the 2012-13 Budget papers is ' Nil ' .

(2) The Department's primary strategy for managing within budget has been to set balanced budgets early and carefully monitor and regularly review these budgets.

In addition, there is a continuing focus on business improvements and reducing operational costs wherever possible. Examples include:

( 3 ) The Department ' s 2012-13 budgeted employee benefits expense is 57% of total expenses.

(4) Quantity of expected net reduction:

(a) A net reduction in staff is not expected for the 2012-13 financial year.

(b) It is too early to predict the quantity of any reduction in consultants and/ ​ or contractors for this financial year.

( 5 ) Redundancies in 2012-13:

(a) We do not currently have any specific plans or targets for voluntary redundancies.

(b) We do not currently have any specific plans or targets for involuntary redundancies.

( 6 ) The Department ' s staffing profile is available in the 2010-11 Annual Report at Appendix B, Table B-2.