Australia to trim government as PM demands policy delivery
[SYDNEY] Australia will cut the number of government departments next year to focus on the continuity of policy and improving service, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday.
Government departments will be cut to 14 from Feb 1, 2020, down from 18 now, Mr Morrison told reporters in Canberra.
"I want a public service that is focused on the continuity of policy and service delivery," he added.
Mr Morrison earlier this year told public servants that his government's policy was not being delivered quickly enough.
Despite trimming the number of government departments, Mr Morrison said he would not cut the number of ministers in his cabinet, negating the need for a reshuffle.
Mr Morrison said the department of education would merge with the department of employment, while agriculture would combine with the environment department.
The department of industry, innovation and science would merge with energy.
REUTERS
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
China passes tariff law as tensions with trading partners simmer
Blinken meets Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing
South Korea’s public finances no longer a credit rating ‘strength’: Fitch
UK consumer confidence improves as inflation and taxes fall
Inflation in Japan’s capital falls below BOJ target, slows for second month
China firms are investing abroad at fastest pace in eight years