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Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Page: 2983

Defence: Strategic Reform Program

(Question No. 470)

Senator Johnston asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 22 March 2011:

With reference to the White Paper and the Strategic Reform Program 'Indicative Workforce Implications - Military Workforce':

For the period 1 July to 31 December 2010, what reduction has there been in the number of personnel, including part-time, employed in implementing:

(a) efficiency improvements;

(b) civilianisation; and

(c) support productivity improvements.

Senator Chris Evans: The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

(a) Implementation of the efficiency improvements component of the SRP, which includes Shared Services initiatives and business improvement within Groups and Services, has led to a reduction of 72 Average Funded Strength (AFS).

(b) Civilianisation is part of the workforce reform element of Workforce Shared Services Reform (WSSR) and forms part of Defence's move to establish the best workforce mix of its non-combat related workforce, allowing the military workforce to primarily undertake combat or combat related roles. The first step in civilianisation is through the disestablishment of 152 military positions across financial year 2010-11. A phased implementation has realised 63 AFS reductions to the end of December 2010.

(c) Implementation of the support productivity improvements component of the SRP is scheduled to commence in financial year 2014-15. This program is a continuous improvement plan, following on from the completed implementation of the other WSSR components of the SRP.