ANALYSIS: The overhauled public service may be more efficient, but at what cost to good government?
Every prime minister fiddles with the public service, divvying up government departments to stamp their mark and to soothe competing ministers' egos.But they usually don't alter much at all. It's rare that one machinery-of-government change is implemented in full before the next is announced., is different. It may be the most significant change to the government's structure in more than 30 years.
He says the decision isn't"about any cost savings", but history suggests the new mega-departments he creates are likely to use the changes to shed staff.Department of Education, Skills and Employment — merges Education with Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications — merges Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development with Communications and the Arts
Government agencies remain under pressure to reduce their workforces. But it's unlikely this is the type of"congestion-busting" the Prime Minister is talking about. He was a little clearer on Thursday, saying the problem was"silos" within the public service and a lack of effective collaboration.
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