This report presents the results of the assessment of the organisation of the central government of Australia. The study looks at reforms that are aimed at improving the quality of services (more value) and efficiency (less money) in central government. Starting with facts and quantitative benchmarks on the Australian central government, the study reviews recent reforms in Australia, and makes recommendations in ten selected areas. The study concludes with a survey of the effects on the quality of services and the potential savings.
Table of contents:
Executive summary Chapter 1. Introduction to the “value for money” review of Australia -The Value for Money study -Sources of information -Variety of institutions, common language -Building on basics -Contents of the assessment -Bibliography Chapter 2. Benchmarking employment, expenditures and revenues in Australia’s public administration -Basic features -General government employment -General government expenditures -General government revenues -Bibliography Chapter 3. Overview of previous public administration reforms in Australia -The Coombs vision: devolution, accountability and performance (1974-1987) -Emergence of top-down budgeting (1987-1996) -The contract state: accrual outcome budgeting (1996-2009) -Toward strategic government: ahead of the game (2009 to present) -Bibliography Chapter 4. Reform priorities and recommendations for value for money in Australia’s government -Ten priorities for reform --Reform 1: Stricter rules with regard to ministerial advisors --Reform 2: A more consistent division of roles and responsibilities between levels of government --Reform 3: Integration of executive and professional expertise in policy development --Reform 4: Development of the Parliamentary Budget Office --Reform 5: Process sharing among agencies and merging of agencies --Reform 6: Service sharing among agencies --Reform 7: Strengthening the spending review procedure --Reform 8: Strengthening ICT management --Reform 9: Improving risk management in supervisory and regulatory activities --Reform 10: Separation of budgeting from output steering in agencies -Survey of the reforms -Bibliography Glossary
