Public sector needs urgent reform: CCIWA

The state's peak business lobby group is calling on the state government to "urgently" streamline the public sector on the back of a new Economic Audit Committee report expected to be presented to the goverment in the coming days.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia believes reform of the public sector is urgently needed to ensure WA taxpayers receive better value for money and higher standards of service delivery.

The Economic Audit Committee, made up of respected business leaders and senior public servants, is soon to deliver its final report after months of careful consideration.

CCIWA said the state government has promised to rein in unsustainable levels of spending, and create a modern and service-orientated public sector.

CCIWA believes the time has come for that pledge to be honoured.

Full announcement below:

Opportunity for much needed public sector reform can not be ignored

Statement by CCI Chief Economist, John Nicolaou

In the coming days the State Government will be presented with an historic opportunity to make meaningful, and overdue changes to how government is run, and valuable taxpayer dollars spent, in Western Australia.

After months of careful consideration, the Economic Audit Committee, made up of respected business leaders and senior public servants, is soon to deliver its final report to government. It is likely to recommend ways to streamline the public sector.

The peak organisation representing local business, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, believes reform of the public sector is urgently needed to ensure WA taxpayers receive better value for money and higher standards of service delivery.

The State Government has promised to rein in unsustainable levels of spending, and create a modern and service-orientated public sector. The time has come for that pledge to be honoured.

Increases in government spending in recent years have not delivered better services for the people of Western Australia. This must change.

The focus must be on removing duplication, eliminating inefficiencies, and focussing on core service delivery. This can be done by overhauling the Public Sector Management Act, and restructuring the public sector, including reducing the number of agencies and departments.

It is critical the State's finances are carefully managed to ensure the Government is able to meet the needs of a growing economy.

CCI also calls on the Government to release the findings of the inquiry as soon as possible. Releasing the report, before further decisions are made on the way government and the public service are run, will help to make the decision making process transparent, and enable business and the broader community to understand the Government's approach to reform.

CCI looks forward to working with the Government, and the public service, to deliver the changes that are needed to ensure a strong, well run, and efficient public service.

Reform to the public sector will deliver significant benefits by improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency.