Gary Humphries (ACT, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Materiel) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity, upon notice, on 12 September 2011:

(1) Have staffing numbers in agencies within the Ministers portfolio been reduced as a result of the efficiency dividend and/or other budget cuts; if so, in which areas and at what classification.

(2) Are there any plans for staff reduction in agencies within the Ministers portfolio; if so, can details be provided i.e. reduction target, how this will be achieved, services/programs to be cut etc.

(3) What changes are underway or planned for graduate recruitment, cadetships or similar programs, and if reductions are envisaged can details be provided, including reasons, target numbers etc.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Finance and Deregulation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Special Minister of State for the Public Service and Integrity has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

Australian National Audit Office:

(1) There has been no specific target for staff reductions to achieve savings, however, staffing levels are being closely monitored and managed.

(2) The ANAO does not have any staff reduction plans in place.

(3) No changes are underway or planned in relaations to the graduate recruitment, cadetships or similar programs.

Australian Public Service Commission:

(1) There has been no specific target for staff reductions to achieve savings, however, staffing levels are being closely monitored and managed.

(2) The APSC does not have any staff reduction plans in place.

(3) No changes are underway or planned in relations to the graduate recruitment, cadetships or similar programs.

The Office of that e Inspector General of Intelligence and Security:

(1) There has been no specific target for staff reductions to achieve savings, however, staffing levels are being closely monitored and managed.

(2) The OIGIS does not have any staff reduction plans in place.

(3) The OIGIS does not currently have a graduate or cadet program.

Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman:

(1) There has been no specific target for staff reductions to achieve savings, however, staffing levels are being closely monitored and managed within the Office to achieve efficiencies.

(2) The 2011–12 Portfolio Budget Statements includes an average staffing level of 149. The current forward estimates show reductions in employee benefits expense in 2012–13 as a result of terminating measures for the Northern Territory Emergency Response and Christmas Island Processing Oversight. Staffing numbers will reduce in line with these terminating measures.

(3) No changes are underway or planned in relations to the graduate recruitment, cadetships or similar programs.

Refer to QONs 1111, 1116, 1133, 1135, and 1140 for answers from other PM&C portfolio ministers.