Public sector reforms
148. Hon Dr Steve Thomas to the Leader of the House representing the Premier:
I refer to the McGowan government's machinery-of-government changes announced in April 2017 and implemented across a number of government departments, which have now been replaced by the newly elected government's 2025 public sector reform announced just over a month ago.
(1) What was the final cost of the 2017 machinery-of-government changes by financial year from 2017–18 to date and in total across the period?
(2) What was the quantum of savings registered by the government from the 2017 machinery-of-government changes by financial year from 2017–18 to date and across the period in total?
(3) What is the expected cost of the government's 2025 public sector reform?
(4) What are the expected savings from the government's 2025 public sector reform?
Hon Stephen Dawson replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. I also thank him for his entertainment on Thursday afternoon, as ever—always the gift that keeps on giving.
(1)–(4) The global environment is very different from that which existed when we came to office in 2017. Whether it is COVID, geopolitical instability or trade wars, it is clear that we need to diversify our economy and make more things here. The targeted reforms of 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 community will far outweigh any implementation costs. The reforms we are making to drive economic diversification will create jobs and economic opportunity in WA.
