Future Issues and Directions
The coming year will bring many challenges as Finance works to support the government to address its policy agenda and changing economic conditions. The department will continue to advise the Cabinet and its committees on opportunities for future savings across government, and assist the government to make difficult decisions about spending priorities. Finance will review additional government programs to find further efficiencies and the department will conduct strategic reviews of key areas of government expenditure. The government’s transparency agenda will continue to be an important focus. Finance will pursue the final Operation Sunlight reforms that formed a part of the government’s election commitments in this area. The department will also implement improvements to the way parliamentary entitlements are managed, including measures that will improve transparency and accountability in the use of entitlements.
During 2009-10, Finance will progress a number of initiatives that commenced in 2008-09. The department will work with DBCDE on the National Broadband Network to undertake an implementation study to determine investment and operating arrangements and the detailed network design. Finance will implement reforms to the governance and administration of Australian Government superannuation schemes. The department will pursue more coordinated approaches to government procurement and property management in conjunction with other government agencies. It will also continue the ICT Reform Program including completing Phase 2 of the savings initiative and commissioning projects in agencies to improve their ‘business-as-usual’ ICT operations. Finance will continue its regulatory reform work with the states and territories, including collaborating with the Organisation for Economic Development and Cooperation as it completes its review of Australia’s regulatory system.
Finally, I would like to thank my predecessor Dr Ian Watt for his strong leadership of Finance over the past seven and a half years. Under his leadership, Finance has developed a reputation for professionalism and quality that has made it a trusted advisor to the government of the day. The department has a challenging agenda over the next year, but we have talented people to support our Ministers and the government to progress this agenda.
David Tune
Secretary