Effectiveness Review Committee

Full description

The Effectiveness Review Committee was established in 1980 :

to advise the Government on matters relating to the effectiveness of departments, EDP applications and manpower resource levels

to co-ordinate the activities of central agencies

to overview arrangements for the engagements of consultants.

The Committees terms of reference were:

Proposal to establish new departments or to re-locate existing government functions;

Effectiveness of government employment;

Machinery of government matters as they impact on the effectiveness of public employment;

Manpower resource levels required in public employment;

Justification and priority for changes in functions and organisations proposed by departments with reference to the costs involved and offsetting benefits associated with such changes.

The Committees activities included:

Expanding the existing employment coverage under the Public Service Act by amending the Act and developing changed procedures which enable it to meet a wide range of management needs;

Providing a focus for senior officials to analyse various issues and advice the Government on improvements;

Initiating a program of effectiveness reviews aimed at dimensioning major effectiveness issues within public administration.

These activities were supported by staff drawn from the various specialist areas of the three Central Agencies (the Public Service Board, Treasury and Premiers Department) with particular knowledge of management, personnel, financial and EDP matters.

On 13 July 1992, Cabinet approved a proposal to devolve complete responsibility for the engagement of consultants to departments and agencies. Cabinets decision meant that Effectiveness Review Committee scrutiny and approval of consultancies ceased as from 1 July 1992.

The full Committee consisted of :
Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet;
Chairman, Public Service Board;
Director of Finance or Director - General, Department of the Treasury.