Scott Morrison pledges to address bureaucratic ‘blockages’ to policy delivery

PM warns bureaucrats his new government will address “blockages” to policy delivery.

Scott Morrison speaks during a meeting with Secretaries from all government departments at Parliament House today. Picture: AAP.

Scott Morrison has put the public service on notice that his new government will address bureaucratic “blockages” to policy delivery, setting clear performance targets for public servants to ensure “we get things done”.

Ahead of a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, the Prime Minister said he had “deep respect” for the work of the public service, but warned: “The thing we depend on, and that you’re professionally responsible, for is the delivery of those services.”

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Mr Morrison said he would set clear directions for the government in three key areas — keeping the economy strong, ensuring Australia’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific, and ensuring the public service implemented government policy.

“Whether it’s in the National Disability Insurance Scheme or whether it’s in hospitals and infrastructure delivery … concluding arrangements and ensuring that the funding that is provided to the states and territories, and the services that we run through Centrelink, this all needs to work seamlessly and efficiently, he said.

“A big part of the way I intend to direct over the next three years is there will be very clear targets about performance levels we expect from the delivery of the public service.”

Mr Morrison said Australians “expect to see things turned around quickly”.

“The investors that are looking to invest in Australia — the blockages that often frustrate them, they will be dealt with.

“Congestion-busting just doesn’t need to happen on our roads and around the country. Congestion-busting needs to happen in the bureaucracy.

“I want to see some congestion-busting in the bureaucracy, ensuring that we get things done. So when your ministers are appointed and you sit down with them, you can expect them to have very clear views about the direction that the government will be taking.”