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

asked the Minister for Finance and Deregulation, upon notice, on 12 September 2011:

(1) Have staffing numbers in agencies within the Minister's 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 Minister's 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 answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

(1) to (3) For the period of 2011-2012 and the three forward estimates, the Department of Finance and Deregulation, the Australian Electoral Commission, the Future Fund Management Agency and the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation have a 'nil' response.

The response from ComSuper is as follows:

The 2011-12 Portfolio Budget Statement for ComSuper set out expected staffing numbers for 2011-12. The average staffing level is expected to reduce from 520 in 2010-11 to 440 in 2011-12. The reduction mainly reflects the outsourcing of the administration of the Public Sector Superannuation accumulation plan (PSSap) but also changes in project work and the impact of efficiency savings agreed with government, including through the operation of the efficiency dividend on the calculation of ComSuper's agency fee revenue. The staff reductions will mainly come from the PSSap administration and supporting areas and at the APS classification levels (i.e. APS3-6 levels).

The arrangements noted above will continue to operate over the three forward estimates. ComSuper's staffing level is expected to continue to gradually fall in line with efficiency arrangements. ComSuper expects to deliver these savings through improvements in processes, data quality and systems without a reduction in service levels.

ComSuper is currently in discussion with the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees to explore the possibility of engaging one graduate as part of their SuperGrads program in 2012. These discussions are consistent with past practice.