Elon-gated: Barnett launches copycat TasDOGE

Move over Elon Musk, Tasmania is about to get its own version of the US government’s notorious Department of Government Efficiency. Poll inside >>

Leader of the Department of Government Efficiency Elon Musk wears a shirt that says "Tech Support" as he speaks during the first cabinet meeting of US President Donald Trump's second term in the Cabinet Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on February 26, 2025. Picture: Jim WATSON / AFP

Move over Elon Musk, Tasmania is about to get its own version of the US government’s notorious Department of Government Efficiency.

Treasurer Guy Barnett announced a new Efficiency and Productivity Unit on Wednesday.

While the EPU’s acronym might not roll off the tongue or yet have its own memecoin like Musk’s DOGE, Mr Barnett said it would undertake a comprehensive audit of all government programs to ensure the state service “is focused on the things that matter to Tasmanians”.

At a press conference to which he was accompanied by three advisers, Mr Barnett said he was determined to find ways of making government services more efficient.

We are focused on increasing productivity to achieve better service delivery for Tasmanians,” the Treasurer said.

“We must ensure that every dollar spent is value for taxpayer money and we are not wasting resources on things that are not the priority.

“This Unit will enable us to structure government more efficiently by better managing the capabilities and capacity of the workforce.

“By refocusing the State Service on the areas that Tasmanians deem a priority, we will deliver service improvements for all Tasmanians in the areas they care about, like health, education, and child safety — without the need for additional spending.”

He said they would be working with the state service to increase productivity and better focus the capacity and capabilities of the workforce, including through digital innovation.

The EPU is set to report directly to the Premier and Treasurer, and its members will be appointed “shortly”.

The Tasmanian government has already announced it will cut the public service by six per cent and consider selling off government businesses to `address soaring debt due to repeated deficit budgets.

The Trump administration has granted Mr Musk wide ranging powers in a bid to address its own budget problems. DOGE has dismissed thousands of public sector workers and closes entire agencies, prompting protests and a flurry of lawsuits.

Originally published as Elon-gated: Barnett launches copycat TasDOGE