leadership, the Commission undertook a voluntary separations through the VTSS. It is Commissioner’s streamlined recruitment and selection anticipated that impending changes to foreword process to secure the Offices of Directors arrangements for SES right of return and the General for nine of the newly amalgamated way SES compensation payments are departments. Their leadership has been calculated will also help drive efficiencies, critical in reshaping these agencies following both within agencies and across the public the Machinery of Government sector. amalgamations, as well as preparing the The last 12 months have been eventful for sector for further reform. both the Commission and the sector. I look I am pleased to deliver the Public Sector To realise the efficiencies of these forward to working with Commission staff to Commission Annual Report 2017/18 to the amalgamations, as well as help deliver refresh our approach to the work we do, and Parliament of Western Australia. budget repair, the Government launched a our contribution to the future of public While my appointment to the office of the number of workforce reform measures services in Western Australia. Public Sector Commissioner commenced including reducing the Senior Executive after the end of the reporting period, it is my Service (SES) and offering the Voluntary pleasure to present the achievements and Targeted Separation Scheme (VTSS) to efforts of Commission staff for 2017/18 public sector employees. The Commission SHARYN O’NEILL following the retirement of Mr Mal Wauchope worked with both the Government and public PUBLIC SECTOR COMMISSIONER AO, inaugural Public Sector Commissioner. sector agencies during the reporting period to implement these measures. As at 30 June On 1 July 2017, the Machinery of 2018, agencies achieved the 20 per cent Government changes came into effect which 3 September 2018 SES reduction target, with a further 2314 saw a reduction in departments by 40 per employees from across the sector receiving cent. To ensure strong and effective
Commissioner’s foreword I am pleased to deliver the Public Sector Commission Annual Report 2017/18 to the Parliament of Western Australia. While my appointment to the office of the Public Sector Commissioner commenced after the end of the reporting period, it is my pleasure to present the achievements and efforts of Commission staff for 2017/18 following the retirement of Mr Mal Wauchope AO, inaugural Public Sector Commissioner. On 1 July 2017, the Machinery of Government changes came into effect which saw a reduction in departments by 40 per cent. To ensure strong and effective leadership, the Commission undertook a streamlined recruitment and selection process to secure the Offices of Directors General for nine of the newly amalgamated departments. Their leadership has been critical in reshaping these agencies following the Machinery of Government amalgamations, as well as preparing the sector for further reform. To realise the efficiencies of these amalgamations, as well as help deliver budget repair, the Government launched a number of workforce reform measures including reducing the Senior Executive Service (SES) and offering the Voluntary Targeted Separation Scheme (VTSS) to public sector employees. The Commission worked with both the Government and public sector agencies during the reporting period to implement these measures. As at 30 June 2018, agencies achieved the 20 per cent SES reduction target, with a further 2314 employees from across the sector receiving voluntary separations through the VTSS. It is anticipated that impending changes to arrangements for SES right of return and the way SES compensation payments are calculated will also help drive efficiencies, both within agencies and across the public sector. The last 12 months have been eventful for both the Commission and the sector. I look forward to working with Commission staff to refresh our approach to the work we do, and our contribution to the future of public services in Western Australia. SHARYN O’NEILL PUBLIC SECTOR COMMISSIONER 3 September 2018
psc_annual_report_2017-18.docx