A new Efficiency and Productivity Unit (EPU) with sweeping audit powers will be established to identify wasteful spending and bureaucratic inefficiency, Tasmania’s Treasurer has announced.
Treasurer Guy Barnett said the EPU, which will report directly to both himself and the Premier, will undertake a “comprehensive review” of all government programs.
According to Barnett, the government believes Tasmania requires a “right-sized” public service that operates effectively, efficiently and delivers value for money.
“We are focussed on increasing productivity to achieve better service delivery for Tasmanians,” he said.
“We must ensure that every dollar spent is value for taxpayer money and we are not wasting resources on things that are not the priority.
The government expects to announce appointments to the new unit shortly.
The move comes as the government grapples with rising debt and plans to reduce the number of public service jobs and potentially sell off government-owned businesses.
The announcement follows similar measures implemented by the Trump administration, which granted Tesla CEO Elon Musk substantial authority to overhaul the US government’s efficiency.
