The NSW government has announced it’s taking over workforce planning and data collection powers from the state’s Public Service Commissioner as it attempts to rid the public sector of consultants.

As reported by Government News, reasurer Daniel Mookhey last month flagged measures to cut spending on consultants in the June 18 state budget.

On Thursday the government announced structural changes aimed at weaning state government agencies off consultants.

As part of the changes, the Premier’s Department will now be responsible for collecting and reporting data on the public sector workforce ‘to ensure it is better integrated into whole-of-government policy making’.

The Premier’s Department and Cabinet Office will also be tasked with leading the development of a new NSW Public Service Work Policy, setting expectations around work that agencies will be expected to perform in-house.

Public Service Commissioner Kathrina Lo’s role of safeguarding integrity in public sector recruitment and employment matters will remain, Premier Chris Minns says.

New units to target consultants

Mr Minns also announced a new unit will be established within the Premier’s Department tasked with reducing consultants by redirecting agencies to in-house resources and bolstering in-house capabilities.

A separate group will be responsible for identifying skills shortages and workforce gaps, as well as long-term planning to deliver essential services, representing an expansion of the Premier’s Department’s role in public sector IR policy.

“Today we announce commonsense changes that will ensure the public sector is delivering for NSW,” the Premier said.

“I want to thank Commissioner Kathrina Lo and everyone at the Public Service Commission for your work to date.

“This announcement is all about leveraging your expertise to better help us solve some of the most pressing challenges that we face as a state.

“We are focused on ensuring that we rebuild in-house capability and only use external consultants when it’s actually needed.”

The government has prepared legislation to implement the changes and will introduce it shortly.