GOVERNMENT AGENCY EFFICIENCY REVIEW

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (15:04): Thank you, sir. We do exist up here—contrary to popular rumour. This is to the Premier. In the lead-up to the budget (and it could be wider than that), will government agencies be subject to an efficiency and effectiveness review? Traditionally, the Auditor-General looks at what I would call bookkeeping—that might be a little bit harsh—but unlike other states he doesn't look—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. R.B. SUCH: Currently a male—at efficiency and effectiveness of agencies. I am just wondering whether that will be part of the process leading up to the budget.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (15:04): It is an interesting question about the way in which the financial accounting works. I think to some degree I disagree with the member for Fisher. I think there are output and performance requirements which are now part and parcel of the budget statements and, indeed, I think you will find the Auditor-General does offer opinions about the effectiveness and efficacy of programs beyond just the mere financial elements.

That does not go directly to the member's question, which I think is a broader issue about a set of metrics, if you like, about the efficiency and effectiveness of the state public sector, and I think that is a worthy thing to give some consideration to. What I would say though is that we have sought to address this question by the creation of the Public Sector Renewal Program where we are actually investing in the performance and efficiency of the state public sector. We have seen what has been, I think, a pretty mindless debate about the size of the public sector, whereas I think the real issue is about its effectiveness.

The Public Sector Renewal Program has begun with five projects which are things like putting more police on the beat by cutting paperwork, and we have already seen the benefits of that project occurring; getting healthy patients out of hospital quicker so we can free up emergency waiting rooms; creating more accessibility for our young people by using our schools as hubs for community services; and also the Mining Industry Participation Office making sure that we make the most of our existing mining industry by getting local businesses involved in that.

They are four of the five projects that are underway; the other one concerns TAFE. Those are about 90-day projects trying to enliven our state public sector and we will continue to roll out further projects, but I will take the broader point that the member raises on notice and give it some further thought.