The Premier, Lara Giddings, said today significant savings had been found across ministerial offices and the Government Communications Unit in the past year.

 

Staffing across ministerial offices has been reduced by 7.4 FTEs in the current financial year, representing a saving of around $1 million.

 

That takes the total employee reduction since Ms Giddings became Premier to 21.8 FTEs.

 

The Government Media Office has been reduced from 10.4 FTEs to 7.6 reflecting a push to reduce expenses in the Premier's Office.

 

"As Premier, I recognise the importance of leading by example at a time when we are asking all Departments to find significant savings," Ms Giddings said.

 

"Efforts have been made to cut costs across a range of areas including staffing, travel, entertainment and the ministerial car fleet."

 

Ms Giddings said expenditure on intrastate, interstate and overseas travel had been reduced from $699,208 in 2010-11 to $419,849 in the financial year to date.

 

Spending on Government functions, entertainment and catering has decreased from around $62,084 to $40,608 in the year to date.

 

The ministerial vehicle fleet has also been reduced by one, with work ongoing to identify further savings in that area.

 

It is proposed to move ministerial drivers from their current premises in the Port Tower Building to existing DPAC office space, resulting in an annual rent saving of $59,000.

 

"This shows that we working hard to reduce expenditure across all ministerial offices.

"Of course, there is more we can do, particularly around increased rental costs.

 

"We are working with the Department of Premier and Cabinet to review the budget allocation for rent and funding of electorate offices."