Machinery-of-government changes
23. Hon Tjorn Sibma to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
I refer to the machinery-of-government changes since 2017.
(1) What was the full cost of the machinery-of-government changes which commenced under ex-Premier Hon Mark McGowan in 2017?
(2) What was the benefit of those changes in financial and functional terms?
(3) What, therefore, is the rationale underpinning the machinery-of-government changes announced on 31 March?
(4) What is the anticipated cost of this change?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4) The global environment is very different from that which existed when we came to office in 2017. Whether it is COVID-19, geopolitical instability or trade wars, it is clear that we need to diversify our economy and make more things here. The targeted reforms to the public sector announced in March will renew a whole-of-government focus on the priorities of the WA community. The reforms are focused on making our economy more resilient and providing a better way to build hospitals and houses. The long-term positive impacts on the state's budget and to the community will far outweigh any implementation costs. The reforms we are making to drive economic diversification will create jobs and economic opportunity in WA.
