Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

The response has been prepared in relation to portfolio agencies staffed under the Public Service Act 1999.

The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

(1) The impact of the efficiency dividend, together with all other budget measures, are taken into consideration in developing the annual budget for the department. In aggregate, since its formation, the department's staffing levels have grown.

(2) There is no intention to reduce staff numbers.

(3) The university graduate program will increase participant numbers from six to ten in 2012. There are no plans to change the year 12 graduate program.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority

(1) Yes. The ACMA has reduced staffing by 20 to meet the 2011-12 budget. No programs or services have been reduced, and the reduction is widespread throughout the ACMA. The classifications affected are as follows:

(2) It is possible that staff numbers will be reduced in the future in line with the overall budget for the ACMA. Specific reductions would not be detailed until the outcomes of the external budget process were finalised. Possible areas of impact could include activities that have specific funding and more general areas of activity in accordance with priorities and government policy.

(3) There are no changes anticipated in these areas.