TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

197 Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite) (30 November 2010). With reference to Budget Paper 4, volume 1, page 2.21, Program 6—

1. How many staff are employed to 'manage' the Department of Trade and Economic Development's business and at what salary levels and how many will be made redundant in 2010-11?

2. Why did payments to consultants exceed the budgeted amount of $248,000 in 2009-10 by $224,000 and why will this increase further in 2010-11?

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Industry and Trade, Minister for Small Business, Minister for Correctional Services): I have been advised the following:

1. There are 50 FTE's included in Program 6, comprising:

The number of positions to be reduced within this program is 19.1.

2. The increase in consultants during 2009-10, recognised as the Estimated Result in the 2009-10 Portfolio Statements, is predominantly due to an increase in consultancies associated with the departmental cultural change program implemented during 2009-10, following the April 2009 internal restructure.

The minor increase in 2010-11 (from the 2009-10 Estimated Result) of $8,000 is a result of the reduction in cultural change consultancies, offset by an increase in consultants associated with the Electronic Document and Records Management System, which is a key component of the Protective Security Management project.