LIBERALS’ ALTERNATIVE BUDGET CONTINUES TO LEAK LIKE A SIEVE

The Tasmanian Greens today used Budget Estimates to raise concerns over the Liberals’ proposed cut to the Treasury Department’s information and communications technology (ICT) funding, exposing yet another black hole in their so-called Alternative Budget.

Greens Treasury Spokesperson Tim Morris MP said slashing funds to Treasury’s ICT budget would have a detrimental impact upon the important community services reliant upon a viable ICT branch to deliver, including ambulance dispatch and revenue collection systems.

“It became abundantly apparent that the Liberals had either given little consideration to the detail of this reduction, or were hoping that it would slip through unnoticed,” said Mr Morris.

“While the primary ICT system currently in use is over 15 years old, its important function means it needs to be updated and maintained, rather than cut.”

“The Liberals have overlooked this integral piece of infrastructure that the state relies upon to effectively manage its budget.”

“The $5m that Liberals have set aside for information technology appears to be earmarked for a departmental merger. This line item in no way addresses the issue of providing a cost saving, robust, secure system of managing the state’s finances, which is what the State Budget has responsibly allowed for.”

“It is accepted industry wisdom that having optimal ICT systems leads to more effective workflows, stronger outcomes and cost efficiency.”

“The ICT budget management system that treasury uses extends beyond the department and into public service delivery agencies, it is a crucial piece of infrastructure that needs to function at capacity.”

“It is disturbing that the Liberals have no grasp on this concept and it highlights that they would not provide competent governance.”

“If this was a case of the Liberals hoping that no one would notice this deceiving piece of book keeping, then they need to admit that they have been caught out and explain how they would fund suitable government ICT systems,” Mr Morris said.
Tim Morris MP Greens Treasury Spokesperson Monday, 6 June 2013