RESEARCH PAPER SERIES, 2017–18              UPDATED 14 NOVEMBER 2017

The Public Service Modernisation Fund: a quick guide

Philip Hamilton and Simon Speldewinde

Politics and Public Administration Section

The 2016–17 Budget, in a novel development for the Efficiency Dividend, provided that $500 million of projected savings would be reinvested in reforms ‘such as automation of public services and business re-engineering’. In 2016–17, funding was included in the forward estimates but without detail on specific initiatives.[1]

The vehicle for reinvestment is the Public Service Modernisation Fund (PSMF). The PSMF appeared for the first time in the 2016–17 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO), with the provision of $20.4 million over five years to the Australian War Memorial and the National Library of Australia.[2]

The 2017–18 Budget outlines how, through two cross-portfolio budget measures, the PSMF will fund a number of initiatives expected to ‘deliver quality government services at lower cost and use leading technology and collaborative approaches to address complex problems facing society’.[3]

•        Funding of $350.0 million over three years from 2017–18 is appropriated for a ‘transformation and innovation’ measure, which comprises better use of data within government; streamlining and improving user access to government services; strengthening APS workforce capability; and more efficient corporate services.

•        Funding of $150.0 million over three years from 2017–18 is appropriated for an ‘agency sustainability’ measure, which aims to support ‘a number of agencies [in] their transition to more modern and sustainable operating models’.[4]

The Department of Finance has carriage of some projects, and a broader leadership role in public sector transformation.[5] Details of specific PSMF expenditures are dispersed across portfolio budget statements. This quick guide collocates information about PSMF-related appropriations, including hyperlinks to relevant portfolio budget statements.

An earlier version of this quick guide was published in June 2017. This updated version includes some additional information that has become available since June 2017.

•        Answers to Questions on Notice explain how PSMF projects were proposed and recommended to government, and show the 60 agencies that will consolidate their human resource systems into six corporate service hubs.[6]

•        In August 2017, an article on The Canberra Times website listed PSMF expenditure by project, with the Department of Finance attributed as the source of this information.[7]

The Canberra Times information has been included in an additional column added to the table that appeared in the earlier version of this quick guide.

Notes: Dollar amounts in portfolio budget statements go to three decimal places, whereas The Canberra Times rounded figures to one decimal place.

In some cases, The Canberra Times listed a PSMF project for an entity even though there is no PSMF-related appropriation in the entity’s Portfolio Budget Statement.

Square brackets indicate that a figure is from The Canberra Times rather than from a Portfolio Budget Statement.

Abbreviations and acronyms

AS

Agency sustainability measure

nfp

Not for publication

BP2

Budget measures: budget paper no. 2: 2017–18

PBS

Portfolio Budget Statement

BP4

Agency resourcing: budget paper no. 4: 2017–18

PSMF

Public Service Modernisation Fund

CT

Canberra Times

T&I

Transformation and innovation measure

MYEFO

Mid-year economic and fiscal outlook 2016–17

Table: Public Service Modernisation Fund initiatives listed by portfolio and entity

Portfolio and entity

PBS

T&I measure
$m

PBS

AS measure
$m

Reported in the CT
(emphasis in Bold has been added)

Agriculture and Water Resources Portfolio

No PSMF measures in the PBS.

–

–

Not included.

Attorney-General’s Portfolio

Attorney-General’s Department
‘Funding of $0.725m will be provided in 2019–20’: PBS, pp. 14 and 16 note (b).

0.725

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services - Funding to support entities to transition to one of the six shared services hubs and for hubs to improve their service delivery capability and enterprise resource planning systems‘.

Australian Federal Police

‘Funding of $0.725m will be provided in 2019–20’: PBS, pp. 94 and 95 note (c).

0.725

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

Federal Court of Australia
‘Funding of $14.007m will be provided over three years’: PBS, p. 204 note (a).

–

14.007

$14.0m for ‘New and integrated court technology: support the ongoing sustainability of the entity, with funding for various digital and electronic information management systems’.

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions
‘$1.994m will be provided over three years for departmental expenses and … $2.507m will be provided over two years for capital expenses’: PBS, p. 260 note (a) (Table 1.2).

–

Departmental
1.994
Capital
2.507

$4.5m for ‘Legal practice business management system: Procure and implement a new legal practice business management system’.

Communications and the Arts Portfolio

Department of Communications and the Arts

‘This measure involves funding to be provided to the following National Collecting Institutions (totalling $1.736 million in 2017-18; $2.912 million in 2018-19; and $3.504 million in 2019-20): the Australian National Maritime Museum; the National Film and Sound Archive; the National Gallery of Australia; the National Museum of Australia; the National Portrait Gallery of Australia; and Old Parliament House’: PBS, pp. 18 note (b).

–

8.152

$8.2m for ‘National Collecting Institutions - Strategic financial assistance: Support six national collecting institutions to restructure the delivery of core programs and services to maximise efficiencies and future sustainability (including the Australian National Maritime Museum, National Film and Sound Archive, National Gallery, National Museum of Australia, National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Australian Democracy)’.

Australian National Maritime Museum

‘The ANMM will receive funding of $6.290 million in 2017–18; $6.140 million in 2018–19; and $1.470 million in 2019–20’ for ‘Critical Capital Works’: PBS, pp. 139 note (a) and 144.

–

13.900

$13.9m for ‘Critical capital works: Fund critical capital works to enhance public safety and access, better meet legislative obligations, preserve and leverage new opportunities for self-generated commercial revenue, maintain collections and to meet ongoing operational costs’.

National Film and Sound Archive             

‘The NFSA will receive funding of $0.996 million in 2017–18; $2.708 million in 2018–19; and $0.180 million in 2019–20’: PBS, p. 157 note (a).

–

3.884

$3.9m for ‘Capital works: Undertake building works to ensure the NSFA's premises are fit for purpose’.

National Gallery of Australia

PSMF support for the NGA is mentioned in the PBS (pp. 18 note (b) and 32), but no details are provided in the NGA statements (pp. 173–90)

–

Not
disclosed

The NGA appears only in the context of National Collecting Institutions - Strategic financial assistance (see above) and Cultural shared services centre arrangements (see below).

National Library of Australia

The MYEFO of December 2016 provided ‘$16.4 million over four years from 2016–17 to the NLA for digitisation of material and upgrade of critical infrastructure for its Trove digital information resource and to upgrade other critical infrastructure’: MYEFO, p. 140.

–

16.400

$16.4m for ‘Programs and Services: Digitisation of material and upgrade of critical infrastructure for its Trove digital resource and to upgrade other critical infrastructure’.

The PBS for 2017–18 noted that $2.6 million ‘will be used for the digitisation of library collection material and the upgrade of critical infrastructure’: PBS, p. 196.

–

2.600

Not included. It is possible that this $2.6 m is part of the $16.4m for ‘Programs and Services’ discussed above.

National Museum of Australia

‘The NMA will receive funding of $2.667 million in 2017–18; $3.078 million in 2018–19; and $3.194 million in 2019–20’: PBS, p. 211 note (a).

–

8.939

$8.9m for ‘Cultural shared services centre: Establish shared services arrangements, such as back office operations for the National Gallery, National Film and Sound Archive and Portrait Gallery’.

National Portrait Gallery of Australia

PSMF support for the NPGA is mentioned in the PBS (pp. 18 note (b) and 32), but no details are provided in the NPGA statements (pp. 223–40).

–

Not
disclosed

The NGA appears only in the context of National Collecting Institutions - Strategic financial assistance and Cultural shared services centre (see above).

Old Parliament House

‘OPH will receive: operational funding of $1.889 million in 2017–18; $2.274 million in 2018–19; and $0.502 million in 2019–20; and capital funding of $2.322 million in 2017–18; $3.226 million in 2018–19; and $3.429 million in 2019–20’: PBS, p 247 note (a).

–

Operational
4.665
Capital
8.977

$13.6m for ‘Capital Works: Undertake building works to ensure OPH's premises and critical equipment remain sustainable and fit for purpose’.

Defence Portfolio (including Veterans’ Affairs)

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

In 2017–18, DVA has an increase in ‘expense’ funds of $4.269m and an increase in capital funds of $0.743m: PBS, p. 30 note (c).

Expense
4.269
Capital
0.743

–

$5.0m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

Australian War Memorial

The AWM will receive an increase in ‘expense’ funds of $0.748m in 2017–18, $0.114m in 2018–19, and $0.114m in 2019–20; and an increase in capital funds of $1.637m in 2017–18, $2.390m in 2018–19, and $1.733m in 2019–20: PBS, p. 97 note (a).

–

Expense
0.976

$6.7m for ‘Organisation restructure and ICT systems: Upgrade the AWM's ICT systems and support organisational restructuring to enhance sustainability’.

‘The Memorial will conduct an organisational review and restructure [and] upgrade and restructure the outdated and highly customised information, communication and technology (ICT) systems underpinning the agency’s core capabilities’: PBS, p. 94.

Capital
5.760

In addition, the MYEFO provided $4.0m over four years from 2017–18 (including $1.0m in 2020–21) to ‘ensure that the AWM can continue to deliver its core activities’: MYEFO, p. 140.

–

4.000

$4.0m for ‘Organisational Sustainability: Funding to ensure that the AWM can continue to deliver its core activities under the Australian War Memorial Act’.

Education and Training Portfolio

Department of Education and Training

The ‘Shared and Common Services’ project is not listed as a separate item in the PBS, but the budget papers foreshadow shared ‘hubs’ to provide corporate services and to deliver community and business grants: BP4, p. 3.

[0.700]

Not disclosed in PBS

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

As part of the Data Integration Partnership of Australia (DIPA), $14.3m is provided over three years for the National Education Evidence Base to ‘bring together data on all phases of education—early childhood, schooling, VET and higher education—to develop a nationally-consistent approach to understanding student pathways’: PBS, p. 14.

14.300

–

$14.3m for ‘Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) - National Education Evidence Base (NEEB): Develop and implement a system that will track an individual’s education progress, to enhance policy analysis through evidence-based data integration’.

Australian Skills Quality Authority

It appears that PSMF measures are not disclosed as separate items in the PBS, but the budget papers foreshadow shared ‘hubs’ to provide corporate services and to deliver community and business grants: BP4, p. 3.

[0.600]

Not disclosed in PBS

–

$0.6m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

Employment Portfolio

No PSMF measures in the PBS.

–

–

Not included.

Environment and Energy Portfolio

Department of the Environment and Energy

‘This measure includes funding of $0.7 million in 2019–20’: PBS, p. 27 note (f).

0.700

–

Not included. It is possible that this measure is part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

Bureau of Meteorology

‘This measure includes funding of $0.7 million in 2019–20’: PBS, p. 119 note (a).

0.700

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

Finance Portfolio

Department of Finance

For the Transformation and Innovation (T&I) measure, ‘Finance will receive funding of $51.5 million (including capital funding of $10.6 million) over the forward estimates’: PBS, pp. 20 (note j) and 37–38.

40.900
Capital
10.600

–

$25.5m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

$11.0m for ‘Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) – Secure Information Sharing Capability (SISC): Develop and implement a secure platform for the exchange of information between entities.’

$9.1m as part of ‘Digital Records Management Platform: Develop a whole-of-government digital records management solution to modernise the common function of record-keeping across the APS’.

$5.9m for ‘Budget Workflow System: Develop and implement a flexible and integrated Budget workflow and decision tracking system to enable greater automation and collaboration across the APS’.

For the Agency Sustainability (AS) measure ‘Finance will receive funding of $3.3 million over the forward estimates’: PBS, p. 20 (note i).

–

3.300

$3.3m as part of cross-portfolio ’Shared and Common Services: Support for some small and medium entities to transition to a shared and common services hub, to deliver efficiencies across government in the corporate service landscape.

Australian Electoral Commission

For the AS measure, ‘the AEC will receive funding of $1.3 million over the forward estimates’: PBS, p. 73 (note a).

–

1.300

$1.3m for ‘Organisational Design: Implement a new organisational design to improve coordination, communication and capabilities within the entity’.

Foreign Affairs and Trade Portfolio

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The PSMF measures are not disclosed as separate items in the PBS, but the budget papers foreshadow shared ‘hubs’ to provide corporate services and to deliver community and business grants: BP4, p. 3.

[0.700]

Not disclosed in PBS

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

Health Portfolio

Department of Health

PSMF measures are not disclosed as separate items on PBS p. 36. The budget papers foreshadow shared ‘hubs’ to provide corporate services and to deliver community and business grants, and the Data Integration Partnership for Australia: BP4, pp. 2-3.

[0.700]

[15.600]

Not disclosed in PBS

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

$15.6m for ‘Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) Better Health and Ageing Data: Strengthen analytical capabilities of health and aged care datasets, to enable Health to better target services for individuals and communities to contribute to long-term health reform’.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

For the T&I measure, ‘the Government will provide $3.4 million over three years’: PBS, p. 208.

3.400

–

$3.4m as part of ‘Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) - Infrastructure: Provide the core technical infrastructure functionality and tools to bring together data assets from multiple sources from across the APS, to better link and integrate data’.

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority

For the AS measure, ‘the Government will provide $0.8 million’: PBS, p. 246.

–

0.800

$0.8m for ‘Tenancy refit and relocation expenses: Fund the relocation and fit-out of a new, smaller premises at the end of the ASADA's current lease, to ensure that its operating premises remains sustainable and fit for purpose’.

Australian Sports Commission

For the AS measure, ‘the Government will provide $0.4 million’: PBS, p. 273.

–

0.400

$0.4m for ‘Transferring websites onto the govCMS platform: Transfer the ASC's websites onto the Australian government govCMS platform’.

National Health and Medical Research Council

For the AS measure, $8.5m to facilitate implementation of two Research Impact and Grant Application Assignment prototype apps that ‘automate resource intensive and repetitive tasks within the grants administration process’: PBS, p. 390.

–

8.500

$8.5m for ‘Enhancing grant administration: Support enhancements to the NHMRC's specific grants processes and to streamline its internal administrative processes’.

‘In 2017-18, an additional $3.9 million in capital will be provided through [PSMF] agency sustainability’. The PBS is not clear—this $3.9m may be included in the $8.5m above, and may relate to ‘capital expenditure relating to an Enhanced Reporting System, Cloud Computing solution, and Digital Transition project’: PBS, p. 393.

Not included.

Immigration and Border Protection Portfolio

Department of Immigration and Border Protection

‘Funding of $0.7 million in 2019–20 for this measure has already been provided for by the Government’: PBS, p. 18 note (b).

0.700

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

Industry, Innovation and Science Portfolio

Department of Industry, Innovation and Science

For the T&I measure, ‘$20.0 million in departmental expenses and $4.4 million in capital over the forward estimates’: PBS, pp.18–20 note (f).

Departmental
20.000
Capital
4.400

–

$10.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

$1.6m as part of ‘Digital Records Management Platform: Develop a whole-of-government digital records management solution to modernise the common function of record-keeping across the APS’.

$12.0m for ‘Streamlining Grants Administration – Business Grants Hub: Fast-track the consolidation and modernisation of grants administration to support the delivery of a simplified and more sustainable operating model’.

For the AS measure, ‘$8.2 million over the forward estimates’: PBS, pp. 18–20 note (e).

–

8.200

$8.2m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services [for] some small and medium entities’ above.

Australian Institute of Marine Science

‘Equity injections of $1.6 million and $0.2 million for 2017–18 and 2018–19 respectively … will be applied to the installation of a Solar Photovoltaic System’: PBS, pp. 68 note (a) and 75.

–

1.800

$1.8m for ‘Increasing utilisation of the National Sea Simulator: Support the operation of the National Sea Simulator, SeaSim at increased capacity’.

CSIRO

‘This measure will provide $3.1 million in 2017–18, $6.6 million in 2018–19 and $6.1 million in 2019–20’: PBS, p. 115 note (a).

Funding aims to expand the role of Data61 to ‘deliver a data integration platform that supports law enforcement and regulatory agencies to better detect, prevent and disrupt illicit activities within Australia and overseas’: BP4, p. 2.

15.800

–

$13.9m for ‘Data61 Data Integration: Deliver a common, tested, secure and supported platform to enhance data integration across government, with a focus on border protection, regulatory and national security functions’.

$1.9m for ‘Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) - Technical Oversight: Provide an assurance and advisory role during the DIPA build phase, to test the robustness of the systems developed and ensure the proper management and handling of data privacy’.

Geoscience Australia

‘This measure will provide $6.0 million in 2017–18 and $9.3 million in 2018–19’: PBS, p. 146. The budget papers note that ‘Geoscience Australia will deliver a platform that provides insights from satellite data into the changing Australian landscape and coastline’: BP4, p. 2.

15.300

–

$15.3m for ‘Interactive Digital Earth for Australia: Create a single point of access for reliable and standardised satellite data on the changing Australian landscape and coastline, to benefit industry, researchers and the Australian community’.

Infrastructure and Regional Development Portfolio

Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

The PSMF measures are not disclosed as separate items in the PBS, but the budget papers foreshadow shared ‘hubs’ to provide corporate services and to deliver community and business grants: BP4, p. 3.

[0.700]

Not disclosed in PBS

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

National Capital Authority

The AS measure capital funding is for ‘business and ICT transformation and improvements to NCA managed buildings’: PBS, p. 176.

‘Additional funding in 2017–18 to … undertake essential maintenance of Commonwealth assets and for strategic investment in improved asset management systems. The expenditure for this measure is not for publication (nfp) due to commercial-in-confidence sensitivities’: BP2, p. 135; PBS, p. 169.

–

[5.800]

Not disclosed in PBS

$3.3m for ‘Business/ICT/digital transformation: Transform the NCA's ICT platform and business services through implementing end-to-end technology based processes and solutions’.

$2.5m for ‘Building improvements: Upgrade the Deck restaurant at Regatta Point to enhance its financial viability as a revenue generating venue’.

Parliamentary departments

No PSMF measures.

–

–

Not included.

Prime Minister and Cabinet Portfolio

Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Quantum and purpose of PSMF funding are not disclosed in PBS, pp. 23–24. The budget papers foreshadow shared ‘hubs’ to provide corporate services and to deliver community and business grants, the Data Integration Partnership for Australia, and funding to ‘drive further uptake of Behavioural Economics …’: BP4, pp. 2-3.

[45.300]

Not
disclosed

–

$1.4m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

$17.1m for ‘Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) – Oversight and Analysis: Establish six data analytical hubs and engage with the community to ensure appropriate data controls are in place which enhance public trust’.

$12.3m for ‘the Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA): Help drive innovation in policy, program and service delivery design via behavioural economics’.

$9.5m for ‘CabNet: Redevelop the Government’s secure Cabinet document management system’.

$5.0m for ‘Digital First Briefing System: Develop an enhanced government communications capability, to provide real-time information and advice from departments and integrate with other business processes’.

Australian Public Service Commission

For the T&I measure, ‘appropriations will increase in 2017–18 [and decrease to] lower levels in 2018–19 and 2019–20’: PBS, p. 117. Details not disclosed in PBS, p. 110.

In the budget papers, it is stated that ‘funding will also be provided … to support digital skill training for public sector staff’: BP4, p. 3.

[4.600]

Not disclosed in PBS

–

$4.6m as part of ‘Building Digital Capability in the APS: Provide enhanced digital capability across government through targeted capability development via a mix of direct and online methods’.

Digital Transformation Agency

Details not disclosed in PBS p. 135.

In the budget papers, it is stated that ‘funding will also be provided … to support digital skill training for public sector staff’. Further, the DTA is committed to improving ‘Tell us once’ service, and ‘develop[ing] a Federated Data Exchange platform that removes the need to build and maintain bespoke point-to-point data exchanges between agencies’: BP4, p. 3.

[44.300]

Not disclosed in PBS

–

$9.3m as part of ‘Building Digital Capability in the APS’ above.

$33.5m for ‘Whole-of-government digital platforms: Deliver a pilot set of services using whole-of-government platforms, with the pilots being used as a blueprint by other entities for the development of their own services’.

$1.5m for ‘Modernisation Fund assurance: Provide oversight and assurances for high-profile Modernisation Fund initiatives’.

Torres Strait Regional Authority

Details not disclosed in PBS, p. 300. The budget papers note AS measure funding for ‘the replacement of the Torres Strait Regional Authority land and sea management facility on Thursday Island’: BP4, p. 3.

–

[3.000]

Not disclosed in PBS

$3m for ‘Replacement of critical infrastructure: Capital works on the land and sea management facility located on Thursday Island, to ensure that the infrastructure remains sustainable and fit for purpose’.

Social Services

Social Services

‘The lead entity for the measure: Public Service Modernisation Fund - transformation and innovation stream is Cross Portfolio. The full measure description and package details appear in Budget Paper No. 2 under Cross Portfolio [p. 75]. DSS will receive funding of $16.263m in 2017-18, $26.026m in 2018-19 and $11.394m in 2019-20’: p. 27 note (c).

53.683

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

$29.8m for ‘Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) – Enhancing Data Exchange (DEX): Enhance the ICT components of DEX to allow it to integrate with DIPA and provide access to a wider range of datasets by stakeholders.’

$23.2m for ‘Streamlining Grants Administration – Community Grants Hub: Fast-track the consolidation and modernisation of grants administration to support the delivery of a simplified and more sustainable operating model’.

Australian Institute of Family Studies

The lead entity for the measure: Public Service Modernisation Fund – agency sustainability is Cross Portfolio. The full measure description and package details appear in Budget Paper No. 2 under Cross Portfolio [p. 76]. AIFS will receive funding of $1.158m in 2017-18’: p. 113 note (a).

–

1.158

$1.2m for ‘New lease arrangements: Fund the fit out and relocation expenses associated with moving to a more financially sustainable, longer-term arrangement’.

Treasury Portfolio

Department of the Treasury

T&I measure and AS measure funding ‘to support the consolidation of shared corporate services arrangements. The funding impacts of these two measures are as follows: $7.7 million in 2017–18; $10.0 million in 2018–19 and $7.7 million in 2019–20’: PBS, p. 21 note (b).

[12.000]

[13.400]

$12.0m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

$13.4m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services [for] some small and medium entities’ above.

Australian Bureau of Statistics

$37.7m over three years from 2017–18 for T&I measure purposes: PBS, p. 57 note (a).

37.700

–

$37.5m as part of ‘Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA) - Infrastructure: Provide the core technical infrastructure functionality and tools to bring together data assets from multiple sources from across the APS, to better link and integrate data’.

Australian Securities and Investments Commission

$0.725m in 2019–20: PBS, p. 152 note (a).

0.725

–

$0.7m as part of cross-portfolio ‘Shared and Common Services’ above.

Not for publication

Not disclosed in a PBS.

–

[8.200]

$8.2m for a purpose ‘Not for publication’.

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[1].               Australian Government, Budget measures: budget paper no. 2: 2016–17, p. 71. For an introduction to the Efficiency Dividend, see N Horne, The Commonwealth efficiency dividend: an overview, Background note series, 2012–13, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2012.

[2].               S Morrison (Treasurer) and M Cormann (Minister for Finance), Mid-year economic and fiscal outlook 2016–17, p. 140.

[3].               Australian Government, Agency resourcing: budget paper no. 4: 2017–18, p. 2. For more information about the four initiatives, see P Hamilton, ‘Public sector ICT’, Budget review 2017–18, Research paper series, 2016–17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2017.

[4].               Agency resourcing: budget paper no. 4: 2017–18, pp. 2–3. In Agency measures: budget paper no. 2: 2017–18 (pp. 75–76), the agency sustainability figure is reported as $129.6 million. However, when this amount is combined with $20.4 million in agency sustainability funding announced in the Mid-year economic and fiscal outlook (MYEFO) of December 2016 (p. 140), the total comes to $150 million.

[5].               Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Official committee Hansard, 24 October 2017, p. 61.

[6].               Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, Answers to Questions on Notice, Finance Portfolio, Budget Estimates 2017–18, questions F28, F53 and F67.

[7].               T McIlroy, ‘See what your department is getting from $500m in new APS spending’, The Canberra Times, 1 August 2017.