Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, , 2:08:04 to 2:13:06
The PBO addresses increased demand for policy costings, unsuccessful funding bids, and the impact of resourcing on performance targets.
Topics: Government spending, Efficiency dividend
Speakers: Sam Reinhardt, Hon James McGrath, Senator Karen Grogan, Unknown Speaker, Speaker 3, Interjection
how would you characterize the PBO's current workload? Has has your office been busier in this at this time compared to say in the previous parliament at this time?
>> Yeah, so the the last financial year we had 20% more um costing requests. It is like they're they're pretty raw numbers because often it just comes down to how extensive those requests are. One costing request is not the same as another. I'd say it's pretty consistent with the previous parliament, but that was very heavy workload. So PBO is in high demand and we're managing within that and we are working closely with parties and parliamentarians to make sure we're delivering the highest
the increased demand placed pressure on on your existing staff and resources.
>> Uh they say it has according to the census. Uh we are trying to work to make sure everyone's really clear on priorities and what needs to get done and what we're able to achieve within
>> Are you adequately resourced by the government to meet the current demand
level of resource to work within. Uh I would say that you know there's it it's no it would be no surprise that there are a number of um costings that are sitting on the books. I think currently it's 76 that are sitting on the books that we haven't that we're still working through. So there's always a stock that stock gets higher over the parliamentary cycle and I do expect the demand will go up over the uh next two years leading towards an election.
>> So so you mentioned the the extra half a million dollars you receive in an considering what you just said in relation to that answer then you expect it to increase in the leadup over the next two years. Um
>> that's been the cont the consistent picture since 2012 when we were
established. >> Will the PBO seek additional funding?
>> Uh we may well we have in the last two budgets that's again been on the record and we've shared that with um the JCPA which is our the committee we work directly to or are accountable to under the legislation.
Um but just for those listening who who may may not sit on that committee or watch its proceedings. So you you you have sought additional funding previously and has that funding been approved?
>> But budgets are tight. We know that as the PBO that's our job to recognize that budgets are also tight.
I just considering the brilliant work you and your team do um for the work of this parliament especially non-governance um senators um it would be a concern if your work is being restrained because of a lack of sufficient financial resources. because I've received reports that some parliamentary officers are being advised it could take up to 3 months to complete a policy costing. I mean you touched upon it in a previous answer. Is is this
without knowing the particular case at hand probably but then I would also say that some of our costing requests are extremely complex particularly at this stage in the parliamentary cycle as parliament as parties and parliamentarians are working out how their policies look and what they would like to take to an election. So it can also be a function of what's being
would would si would additional this is a Dorothy Dixer so you'll probably answer very appropriately but would would um additional resources help uh you reach your performance target of 15 business days or or or fewer in relation to
>> uh [snorts] yes
>> it would okay uh I do have further questions I'll put them on notice but thank you and thank you of your team for the brunt work that you do.
>> And um Senator McGrath, I am advised um that I did receive a response uh from the finance minister in relation to P the parliamentary education officers unsuccessful bid. I'll table that.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Um I believe there are no further questions. So thank you very much to the PBO for coming and joining us. We do appreciate your time. Um, and I would now ask the Department of Parliamentary Services and the Parliamentary Service Commissioner to make their way to the table. >> Who's going first?