I have given approval for the Council on the Cost of Government to establish a Better Government Hotline. The Hotline is part of my Government's objective to improve the NSW public sector. It capitalises on the skills and experience of public servants by providing them with the opportunity to suggest management improvements, cost savings, innovations in service delivery or ways to simplify processes.

These suggestions will be initially assessed by the Council on the Cost of Government. Major improvement opportunities will be investigated by the Council in consultation with the relevant agencies. Minor suggestions will be referred to the agency for follow up action. Hence, Ministers and their staff will be able to benefit from the information generated by the Hotline.

Public servants whose suggestions involve a high level of innovation or result in significant cost savings will be considered for awards in recognition of their contribution to better government.

The Hotline will commence on August 12, 1996. It will initially run for three months and will be publicised in Public Service Notices and elsewhere.

The Council on the Cost of Government will take steps to ensure that information provided to the Hotline will be treated as confidential and that any available exemptions under the FOI Act will be claimed.

Ministers are asked to inform their Department Heads of this initiative to ensure that the Hotline is given their full support.

It would be appreciated if details of the Hotline could be made available through departmental newsletters.

Further information on the Better Government Hotline are available from the Council on the Cost of Government on 228 3918.

Bob Carr
Premier