Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) 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 59 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 has seen growth to the Australian Public Service (APS) to equalise the reduction 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 program is scheduled to commence in financial year 2014-15, following on from the completed implementation of other workforce and shared services components of the Strategic Reform Program.

(d) With regards to implementing the contractor conversion component of the Strategic Reform Program, there was a reduction of 5 contractor positions in the period 1 January to 30 June 2012 and an increase of 6 APS full-time equivalent, noting there was a lag in filling a position previously vacated by contractors.