Following the announcement of the new Cabinet and the changes in Ministerial responsibilities and Departmental structures, there will be a substantial amount of work to be done in implementing and settling down the changes.

In the first instance, it is not expected that there will be massive, overnight upheaval- For budgetary and operational reasons, it is eminently sensible for as much of the existing formal structure to remain in place until the end of the financial year, 30th June.

Changes should be planned to come into operation on or after 1st July, 1991.

I have asked the Director General of the Premier's Department, in conjunction with the Director General of The Cabinet Office and the Secretary of The Treasury, to arrange for the establishment of a number of task forces to assist you and your Departments securing the changes which have been announced.

I have asked that priority be given to securing the major changes which are in the portfolios of Attorney General, Minister for Consumer Affairs and Minister for Arts Minister for Courts Administration and Corrective Services Minister for Conservation and Land Management Minister for Natural Resources (which includes reallocation of the functions out of the former Department of Minerals And Energy), and Minister for Health and Community Services and Minister for Hospital Management Reallocation of functions from the former Department of Business and Consumer Affairs.

Changes are involved in other areas but they are not as major as those listed above and thus it may be about three to four weeks before assistance will be available in these areas.

I have asked Mr. Humphry to form the task forces as soon as possible and to contact you to arrange for preliminary discussions at the earliest possible, mutually convenient time.

The task forces will comprise officers of the Office of Public Management, The Cabinet Office and Treasury and will be seeking to have senior officers of your Departments actively involved.

Some of the work undertaken by the task forces will contribute to the functional review which will be undertaken by the Director General of The Cabinet Office.

In the event of any matter involving Chief Executives or SES officers, there should be prior consultation with the Director General of the Premier's Department, Mr. Humphry. The guidelines for the appointment of the CEO's and SES officers are to be followed.

The Premier's Department has informally informed Chief Executives where substantial changes will be made and advised them that the task forces are being established to provide assistance.

If you have any queries or require further amplification, could you please ring either Mr. Humphry (228 5274) or Mr. Baxter (228 5495) in the Premier's Department.

Yours sincerely

N F Greiner MP

Branch: DG's Unit
Date: 7 JUN 1991