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State Services and Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has welcomed the release of two reviews in relation to the 2010 ANZAC Day helicopter crash.

The State Services Commission has released an independent review on the Air Force’s implementation of the Court of Inquiry safety recommendations, and also a review of the roles and functions for health and safety in employment in the military context.   

The State Sector and Public Finance Reform Bill concluded its first reading debate in Parliament this afternoon, says State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman.

“This omnibus bill is one of the initiatives by the government as part of its Better Public Services reforms,” said Dr Coleman.

“It is progress towards a more innovative, efficient public sector that delivers better results for New Zealanders,” he said. 

State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says a new Public Service property strategy is likely to reduce the office space foot print in Wellington by the equivalent of three Reserve Bank buildings.

Dr Coleman says Cabinet has approved the start of a centralised negotiation for future public service office space in the capital with accommodation leases due to expire for five large government agencies.

The leases due to expire include the Ministries of Social Development, Health, Education and Business Innovation and Employment, and the Crown Law Office.

Satisfaction with public services continues to increase according to the latest Kiwis Count survey says State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman.

The survey, released today by the State Services Commission, recorded service quality improving to 74 points out of 100 this quarter, up from 72 points in the last survey. 

“This latest Kiwis Count report shows public service agencies are lifting their game at the front line and that New Zealanders are noticing the improvements,” said Dr Coleman.

State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Women’s Affairs Minister Jo Goodhew welcomed the release of a new survey showing positive progress for women in the public sector.

The State Services Commission has today released its 2012 Human Resources Capability Survey which has recorded in increase in the number of women appointed to senior leadership roles.

“At just over 42 per cent, we now have the highest percentage of women in senior leadership positions since the HRC survey began,” Mrs Goodhew said.

The size of the core public service has reduced by 555 positions in the six months to June, which is 574 positions below the “cap”, the State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman has announced.

“The government pledged to cap the size of the core public service during the 2011 election campaign to 36,475 and Cabinet set it at that figure in March 2012,” said Dr Coleman.

The State Sector and Public Finance Reform Bill has today been introduced in parliament, says State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman.

“This is an omnibus bill which amends the State Sector, Public Finance and Crown Entities Acts to provide the legislative grunt to deliver better public services,” he said.

“The amendments create a range of public sector management tools to foster an innovative, efficient public sector to deliver better identified results for New Zealanders,” he said.

New Zealanders are increasingly satisfied with the frontline public services they receive according to the latest Kiwis Count survey released today by State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman.

The State Services Commission’s Kiwis Count survey, which measures satisfaction with 42 frequently-used public services, revealed an overall increase in the service quality score.

The Government intends to introduce a package of legislative changes to help the public sector achieve better results for New Zealanders, Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

As indicated in the Budget last month, the Government has started consulting other parties on changes to the State Sector, Public Finance and Crown Entities Acts as part of its Better Public Services reforms.

State Services Minister Hon Dr Jonathan Coleman has welcomed the passing of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Amendment Bill, the Mental Health Commission Bill and the Charities Amendment Bill (No 2) into law.

The three Bills, which until recently formed collectively the Crown Entity Reform Bill, brings structural changes to government health and charitable agencies from 1 July 2012.

Good evening everyone

I am very pleased to be here tonight as we recognise some of the incredible work and innovation of New Zealand’s public servants.

It’s especially fitting in 2012 that we acknowledge this – as this year marks the centenary of the Public Service in New Zealand, which came in to being in 1912.

For 100 years New Zealanders have benefitted from a professional, unified and impartial Public Service.

The Government has today confirmed its plans to establish the new Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment on 1 July this year.

The Ministry will bring together the existing functions of the Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Science and Innovation, Department of Labour and Department of Building and Housing.

Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says the new Ministry will assist the Government drive forward its business growth agenda and make it easier for businesses to engage with the Government.

The 10 results set by the Prime Minister for the public sector over the next three to five years focus on some of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand, Finance Minister Bill English and State Services Minister Jonathan Coleman say.

The results will cover five themes:

The Government has reset the cap on core government administration staff at 36,475 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions, State Services Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman says.

Good afternoon everyone and thank you for the opportunity to speak today – the Minister of Finance Bill English has asked me to pass on his apologies as he is unable to attend.

I think it’s very timely that your conference is addressing the important and ongoing challenge of transformational change.

In the time I have with you today I’d like to touch on: