Explanatory Memorandum
(Circulated by authority of the Minister for Finance, Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann)General Outline
1. The Statute Update (Smaller Government) Bill 2017 (the Bill) would, if enacted, repeal three Acts and amend ten Acts across the Commonwealth to support the implementation of the Government's smaller government agenda. The Bill follows on from a series of government decisions relating to the abolition of a number of bodies announced in earlier tranches of the smaller government agenda.
Application and transitional provisions
2. The Bill includes application and transitional provisions that provide clarity in relation to provisions contained in Schedule 5 relating to any views given to the Minister by and any documents held by the Plant Breeder's Rights Advisory Committee and Schedule 7 relating to the making of rules and amendments to legislative instruments.
The Bill in the context of broader reform activities
3. The Government is transforming the way services are delivered and how government operates to create a smaller, smarter and more productive sustainable public sector.
4. The rationalisation phase of the smaller government agenda is now largely complete following delivery of a comprehensive package of smaller government reforms. This comprehensive package was initiated prior to the 2014-15 Budget with decisions to abolish unnecessary advisory bodies and boards, agencies and statutory bodies implemented. This was followed by a number of successive smaller government initiatives.
5. Consistent with the smaller government agenda the Australian Government Governance Policy came into effect on 15 December 2014. This policy was designed with the intent of preventing the creation of unnecessary bureaucratic structures and ensuring existing Government structures are streamlined further over time. This policy also requires sunset or review dates to be set for all new Commonwealth bodies.
6. By the time of the 2017-18 Budget, the smaller government agenda had announced savings of an estimated $1.5 billion through consolidating, merging and abolishing bodies.
7. The 2017-18 Budget also focused on transforming the way services are delivered and how government operates to create a smaller, smarter and more productive, sustainable public sector, better positioned to respond to the challenges of a rapidly changing environment and the continued need for fiscal discipline.
8. Since 2013, initiatives such as the smaller government agenda, contestability, Operation Tetris, and the efficiency dividends have generated efficiencies of around $7.6 billion in savings. The size of the General Government Sector (GGS) has also reduced.
9. The Bill continues to deliver on the Government's comprehensive package of smaller government reforms, designed to cut waste and duplication, while improving the efficiency and focus of the Commonwealth public service.
Consultation
10. The Statute Update (Smaller Government) Bill 2017 was prepared in consultation with affected Commonwealth entities and where relevant, State consultations have taken place.
Structure of the Bill
11. The Bill is structured in the following schedules:
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- Schedule 1 - Tradespersons' rights committees
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- Schedule 2 - Oil Stewardship Advisory Council
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- Schedule 3 - Product Stewardship Advisory Group
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- Schedule 4 - Advisory Group of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority
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- Schedule 5 - Plant Breeder's Rights Advisory Committee
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- Schedule 6 - Development Allowance Authority
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- Schedule 7 - Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee
Main features of the Bill
12. The Bill, if enacted, would support the implementation of the Government's smaller government agenda and abolish seven bodies.
Financial Impact Statement
13. The Bill has no direct financial impacts, it would amend and repeal a number of provisions in the enabling legislation of Commonwealth entities to abolish seven bodies and is designed to reduce waste and duplication and improve the efficiency in the delivery of services within the Australian Government.