2012-13 Government Mid-year Financial Projections Statement

2012-13 Government Mid-year Financial Projections StatementEnvironment and ConservationFinanceThe Department of Environment and Conservation will achieve savings through moreefficient delivery of business support, administrative, and corporate services, includingimplementing vacancy management and increased cost recovery measures.The Department will also amalgamate regional and metropolitan parks management,and reprioritise Perth Observatory functions. Further strategies include improvedutilisation of metropolitan office accommodation, and better targeting of staff housing inthe south-west.The Department of Finance will achieve savings through managing vacancies (includingreduced spending on consultants, contract staff and recruitment advertising), rationalisingoffice accommodation costs and decreased ICT expenditure.Fire and Emergency ServicesFisheriesHealthThe Department of Fire and Emergency Services will reduce its expenditure on travel,software licenses and employment consultants. The Department will also amend itsvehicle acquisitions policy (resulting in lower fringe benefits tax payments), and improveits procurement practices.The Department of Fisheries will achieve savings associated with the reduction ofcompliance and research activities in the West Coast Rock Lobster (Managed) Fisheryin line with the introduction of a full quota management system.The Department of Health will achieve savings through two main approaches. Firstly,the delivery of hospital activity at a lower price with focus areas including management ofstaffing levels, rostering arrangements for clinical staff, procurement reforms andimproving quality of care and reducing length of stay through quality programs.Secondly, a reduction in discretionary expenditure for non-Health Service business unitsincluding controls on staffing levels and a review of opportunities to harvest savingsthrough procurement of goods and services.Indigenous AffairsThe Department of Indigenous Affairs will achieve savings through rationalising officeaccommodation costs and a reduction in spending on under-utilised grant and sponsorshipprograms.142