Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Government Services, Senator Farrell. I refer to media reports today that over 1,000 contractors have been axed with little notice, just 26 days before Christmas, with employees quoted as saying, 'It's not great to get this kind of news right before Christmas.' Is this what the government means when they say they want secure jobs for all Australians?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Liddle for her question at this time. A number of commercial ICT contracts at Services Australia have recently ended their terms. The impacted contractors will end in line with the relevant terms and notice period. In other words, these contracts were coming to an end in accordance with the terms of the contracts, and the government and, in particular, Services Australia have applied the terms and conditions that relate to those contracts. These ICT providers have supported Services Australia to significantly bolster the ICT systems to meet unprecedented demand on our systems and services during emergencies such as the pandemic, and we do thank them for their support.

Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Merry Christmas!

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll take that interjection. These were contracts that were freely entered into by the former government. There was a set of terms and conditions, and the government is simply complying with those terms and conditions. I've had some experience of what you did with ICT contracts, and I would like to refer to the PEMS contract, which I am— (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, a first supplementary?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

So clearly you didn't mean them! Given the significant number of job losses, can the government guarantee there will be no reduction in access to services or an increase in any backlog of claims by this decision?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Liddle for her question. I've actually seen what you've done with ICT contracts, and the perfect example is the PEMS contract, a contract that was supposed to deliver services for members of parliament. It originally cost $48 million and is now up to $66 million and counting. And it's now being referred to the—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister Farrell, please resume your seat. Senator Liddle?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On a point of order: the question was about reduction in services and backlog.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I will draw the minister back to the question.

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks for that clarification from Senator Liddle. Essentially Services Australia consists of a workforce that's made up of the Australian Public Service staff. These staff are, from time to time, supplemented by contractors, and that's the people that we're talking about at the moment. These numbers go up and down, depending on government priorities and changing circumstances. (Time expired)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Liddle, a second supplementary?

Kerrynne Liddle (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Farrell, can you confirm that none of these contractors were working on cybersecurity programs and projects which would deal with vulnerable Australians' data and that this decision will not see any reduction in the protection of their data?

Don Farrell (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Trade and Tourism) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Liddle. Obviously this is not my own personal portfolio. I would not expect that there would be any reduction in services through this process, particularly as it relates to the issues you just mentioned in your question. But I will have a chat with the minister and I will come back to you if there is any issue different to what I have just said.