Estimates - Premier - Watt Review

CHAIR - Premier, I want to go back to the 2021 Watt review which Ms Johnston brought up earlier. The whole reason behind that was to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the State Service, which ironically is what the Treasurer claims to want to achieve through his cuts to the State Service. One of the recommendations was to implement all recommendations fully by July 2026. How many of the Watt review recommendations have been implemented? 

Mr ROCKLIFF - Thank you for the question. The focus for the next stage of the State Service Review is on recommendations that align with the work undertaken by the Efficiency and Productivity Unit. This includes implementing a functional leadership framework for the Tasmanian State Service that identifies and supports the delivery of shared services and capabilities across agencies. These align with recommendations 21 to 23 in the Tasmanian State Service Review. This also means prioritising the recommendations that ensure state services are aligned with the evolving needs of community, government and budgetary contexts, and focusing on the value of outcomes delivered. Continuing to implement recommended reforms will strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of the State Service, leading to improved outcomes for the government and the Tasmanian community.

To date, priority has been given to implementing reforms with strong linkages to recommendations arising from the Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Government's Response to Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings. The Department of Premier and Cabinet's website includes an update on the State Service Review recommendations underway and those that are complete to April 2026.

There's a strong alignment between this review and the recommendation of the Tasmanian State Service Review, in terms of the Woolcott review, in terms of modernising the State Service Act, strengthening values and conduct expectations, and making sure the legislative framework better defines the purpose of the State Service and the standards expected of employees. 

CHAIR - Sorry, Premier, but it's not really getting to the heart of my question, which is around the implementation of recommendations from the Watt review. Which ones have been implemented, and are you planning to implement them as promised? 

Mr ROCKLIFF - Okay, so I stand to be corrected, but the Department of Premier and Cabinet website includes an update of the Tasmanian State Service Review recommendations that are underway and those that are complete to April 2026. Look, I stand to be corrected, I haven't been on the website for that particular purpose. There is a progress report on the website: 15 recommendations completed and 19 underway. 

CHAIR - So, not going to be finished by July 2026 by the sounds of it? 

Mr ROCKLIFF - No, but it's underway.