PUBLIC SECTOR EMPLOYEE NUMBERS

In reply to Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (25 June 2008).

The Hon. K.O. FOLEY (Port Adelaide—Deputy Premier, Treasurer, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Federal/State Relations): I have been provided the following information:

The 1,991 FTEs referred to in the member's question relates to the difference between the governments estimate of total public sector employment as at 30 June 2008 reported in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 budgets.

The majority of the variation between the two estimates (1,758 FTEs) relates to the general government sector, which is covered by the government's FTE cap. The FTE cap is adjusted for cabinet decisions made throughout the year, as well as 2008-09 Budget initiatives.

Since the time of the 2007-08 Budget, additional funding and FTEs for the year ending 30 June 2008 have been approved for education, families and communities, health and justice to assist in meeting the demand for services in these portfolios.

In addition, an adjustment was made to the cap for the Department of Education and Children's Services to rectify a specification error in the original cap.