Page 2107 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 8 May 2012
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Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order, members!
MS BURCH: about what could be some benefits of a realignment within the office across its various business functions and business structures within the office.
MR SPEAKER: Order! One moment, Ms Burch, thank you. Stop the clocks. Members, I have spoken before about my view that it is unparliamentary for members to make derogatory comments about ministers when they are answering questions. You can look quizzically, Mr Hanson, but I can hear it going on on the benches and I am sure other members in the chamber can hear it. I just ask that you be a little more respectful as we proceed with question time.
Mr Coe: Point of order, Mr Speaker. I think saying that the minister is being cryptic is not a derogatory comment; it is more an expression of her not answering the question.
MR SPEAKER: Thank you for your views, Mr Coe. Minister Burch, you have the floor.
MS BURCH: Last year we engaged Jane Brazier to talk with internal and external stakeholders about what were some of the business functions and how could we realign some of those internally with the office. Due to some personal circumstances of that consultant that project went into a bit of abeyance for a couple of months, but we are now working through that realignment process; for example, how do we strengthen our various arms, such as our policy arm, and to concentrate various aspects of policy, but also procurement and business. I am quite happy to give you an update and to give you a briefing about when all that is settled down but it is certainly something that is well and truly in train at the moment.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Hunter.
MS HUNTER: Minister, what impact will this refresh have on the Office for Children, Youth and Family Support staff and also the programs that are run out of that office?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Hunter for her question. With respect to the impact on staff, certainly the conversation I have had with the executive director of the office is that staff are very much part of this journey and have been involved from the beginning. They were considered stakeholders in this process under the consultant’s processes as well. So they are very much considered to be part of it.
There is no shift or change in programs that are in place. We are looking to, as I said, streamline some of those core functions of policy to concentrate on and strengthen those policy areas, and certainly looking at procurement and purchasing. I am sure you would appreciate the benefits of providing some strength and depth to those areas of the office. As I said, I do not see this as a change in program delivery. It is more of
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