Page 3046 - Week 07 - Thursday, 30 June 2011
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whole-of-government innovations such as a training calendar, customer portal, jobs website and whole-of-government panel contracts; environmental benefits such as the desktop shutdown program; improved compliance with statutory obligations; greater consistency in processes and procedures; and more transparency.
This budget does again incorporate a second round of savings and reform from Shared Services as envisaged in the original model when it was implemented. Those savings relate to improving business processes and systems in HR and finance areas, and are expected to deliver another $4½ million once fully implemented. The estimate for this budget year is $2 million.
The government does believe that there are further significant improvements in the efficiencies of services delivered by government that will allow the government to make further investments in direct services to the community. I do know that it was an area in the committee’s report. The government has been very generous in its response to the estimates report; we have agreed to a number of the recommendations in this area. In fact, we agreed 51, 52, 53 and 54—all agreed by the government.
I hear the point made by Ms Le Couteur: why haven’t they already been done? The benefit of the estimates process, if there is one, is that these issues can be identified and picked up. If they have not been done, we can take the opportunity and the advice of other members in this place to have a look at our own systems and improve on them. I am a genuine believer in constant and continuous improvement in government services. I think this is an excellent example of the government, the Assembly and the estimates committee working together.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
Proposed expenditure—Part 1.9—Superannuation Provision Account—$144,047,000 (capital injection), totalling $144,047,000.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (5.20): I would like to start by acknowledging the expertise we have in the ACT in managing the superannuation provision account. I note that the projected peak in liabilities is still estimated to be in 2030. It is encouraging that, despite the global financial crisis and other events, this objective remains the same. But I also note that the proportion of liabilities that are funded has increased to an estimated 53 per cent as at today, 30 June. This represents a sound increase from the low point of 45 per cent that was reached in the financial year 2008-09. I note the projection for the proportion to grow to 56 per cent by June 2015, but I also observe that, depending on movements in interest rates, the discount factor can have a significant influence on this proportion. But we will not speculate on interest rate movements, will we?
It is good to see that Totalcare is basically finally resolved. I note with some interest that in relation to the High Court decision on the Cornwell case there are questions of potential outcomes from this decision and implications for the ACT in relation to any payments for longstanding liabilities. I also note that there is a Senate inquiry into this matter; we will await the outcome. I note the government’s response. I think by the end of November we have asked for a report on this. Of course, that will depend on
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