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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 8 Hansard (25 June) . . Page.. 2208 ..
Rebuilding capacity
Mr Speaker, this government is committed to investing in the public service-the staff and the infrastructure-to ensure that the community's expectations of the public service are met. We will revitalise the public service, giving it the respect and confidence to undertake its vital role, targeting outcomes such as a skilled and innovative public service, governance and accountability frameworks, and evidence-based policy development.Mr Speaker, the budget will fund a number of overdue information technology initiatives that have been neglected in past budgets. InTACT will receive $10.1 million funding in 2002-03 for a number of fundamental projects such as server replacements, local area network replacements, and information security. Mr Speaker, these are bread-and-butter projects aimed at just maintaining the capacity and integrity of our information technology platform.
The budget also provides funding for upgrading two of the government's fundamental business systems: PERSPECT (the personal and related payroll system) and the whole-of-government Oracle government financial system. These are fundamental systems for effective running of government.
Mr Speaker, this budget incorporates the benefits of a number of savings programs across most departments. This includes the cessation or winding back of a number of initiatives introduced by the previous government. The government will be introducing improved budgetary frameworks for more rigorous assessment of public expenditure across the public service. The need for sound decision-making, processes and procedures in relation to the use of taxpayer dollars has been highlighted in a number of Auditor-General reports over the past years. There is always room for improvement and it is my intention to improve financial rigour over the term of this government.
Against a background of flat revenue growth, this government will be placing more emphasis on the cost-effectiveness of all programs across government rather than the marginal distribution of "surplus" funds. To assist in this, we will be forming an Expenditure Review Committee with a broad charter to:
examine the funding base and outputs of government programs for cost-effectiveness;
examine the financial status of new initiatives prior to such initiatives entering into the budget process; and
identify and possibly consolidate programs delivered across a number of agencies.
If I might ad lib, already some of that work has come through cabinet.
This committee will develop a rolling program of reviews over the next three years and will go to ensure that government services to the community are always provided as efficiently as possible.
Mr Speaker, $1.077 million will be provided over the next four years to address increased workloads within the property and commercial and the litigation areas of the Government Solicitor's Office. The Director of Public Prosecutions will also receive
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