13 April 2011

The release of the Treasury report identifying ways to make the public sector more efficient will be welcomed by public servants and taxpayers, says the PSA, the public sector union.

“The benchmarking of administrative and support services, which began last year shows savings are being made by public sector agencies and there is scope for further savings in systems such as IT.”

“Many inefficiencies and duplication of costs have arisen as a result of fragmentation in the public sector so it’s good that the Government is looking for savings through greater efficiency rather than simply cutting jobs,” says Brenda Pilott, PSA National Secretary.

“The PSA has long been advocating for improved efficiency in the public sector and for greater involvement of staff in the day-to-day management of agencies. No one is better able to identify inefficiency and waste than the people who actually do the work.”

“Indeed, in a recent speech Finance Minister Bill English called on public sector employers to involve their staff in the drive for greater efficiency and effectiveness.”

“It is in our members’ interests and that of taxpayers to have an efficient and high performing public sector,” says Brenda Pilott

“Before calling in expensive private consultants, agencies should consult with and involve their staff in reducing costs and improving efficiency. It may come as surprise to some just how much their own staff have to contribute. ”

“The Government also needs to take a more integrated approach to the public sector and demand collaboration and cooperation between agencies, rather than allow the corporatised silos that have grown up within the public sector to continue to duplicate costs.”

ENDS

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