The government is looking to take an axe to the cost of policy advice across its departments and agencies, saying they ballooned under the previous government.A review was announced today, after total government spending on policy advice was estimated to
The government is looking to take an axe to the cost of policy advice across its departments and agencies, saying they ballooned under the previous government.
A review was announced today, after total government spending on policy advice was estimated to have jumped by more than 70% between 2003 and 2009 -- from about $510 million to $880 million.
"This is faster than the already rapid general increase in total government spending during this period," Finance Minister Bill English said. Policy advice expenditure was now nearly three-quarters of the government's total annual police budget and close to annual spending on social housing.
"We spend $50 billion a year running the public sector and it is important that we are getting value for taxpayers as well as better frontline services," he said.
The government had an "open mind" about the review and what it might find and how the government might respond, Mr English said.
State Services Minister Tony Ryall said it was important to align spending on policy advice with actual policy priorities.
"This review will look at whether the focus and level of this increased spending actually aligns with government priorities and is helping delivering better frontline services for the public."
The review would be conducted by former Treasury secretary Graham Scott, KPMG Australia partner Patricia Faulkner and Pat Duignan, who is a member of the ACC investment committee and Commerce Commission.
The review is expected to be finished by December.
