Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(a) with regards to implementing the efficiency improvements component of the Strategic Reform Program, there was a reduction of 115 in the number of full-time equivalent personnel employed;

(b) with regards to implementing the civilianisation component of the Strategic Reform Program, there was no reduction in the number of full-time equivalent personnel employed. The civilianisation program will see growth to the Australian Public Service (APS) to equalise the reductions to Military personnel.

(c) with regards to implementing the support productivity improvements component of the Strategic Reform Program, there was no reduction in the number of full-time equivalent personnel employed. The support productivity improvements component of the Strategic Reform Program is a continuous improvement plan scheduled to commence in financial year 2014-15, following on from the completed implementation of the other workforce and shared services components of the Strategic Reform Program; and

(d) with regards to implementing the contractor conversion component of the Strategic Reform Program, there was a reduction of 74 contractor positions in the period 1 July to 31 December 2011, and an increase of 171 APS full time equivalent. The increase in APS is associated with a lag in filling positions previously vacated by contractors in the previous year.