Defence: Strategic Reform Program

Senator Johnston asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 11 January 2010:

With reference to the White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program ‘Indicative Workforce Implications – Civilian Workforce’: For the period 1 July to 30 September 2009, what reduction has there been in the number of full‑time equivalent Australian Public Service staff or contractors employed in implementing: (a) efficiency improvements; (b) civilianisation; (c) support productivity improvements; (d) contractor conversion (reduction to contractors); and (e) support productivity improvements.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

For the period 1 July to 30 September 2009, Australian Public Service staff and contractors reductions related to components of the Strategic Reform Program:

1. There have been no reductions in the number of full-time equivalent personnel employed.  The Defence Budget Audit recommended a three to nine month bottom-up diagnostic period to translate the potential opportunity to specific targets, as part of an implementation planning effort to determine the level of savings.  The diagnostic work was completed in December 2009 and implementation is due to commence in the first quarter of 2010.
2. There have been no reductions in the number of full-time equivalent personnel employed.  The civilianisation component of the Strategic Reform Program is not due to commence until the 2010-11 financial year.  On commencement of this program the effect of civilianisation will see growth to the Australian Public Service to equalise the reductions to Military personnel.
3. There have been no reductions in the number of full-time equivalent personnel employed.  The support productivity improvements component of the Strategic Reform Program is a continuous improvement plan scheduled to commence in financial year 2014-15, following on from the completed implementation of the other Workforce and Shared Services components of the Strategic Reform Program.
4. There have been15 conversions (10 in the Chief Information Officer Group and 5 in the Intelligence and Security Group) undertaken in the period 1 July to 30 September 2009, resulting in 15 contractor positions being reduced and 15 Australian Public Service staff being recruited.

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