NSW Government Bulletin

Shuffling the deck: NSW machinery of government changes 2019

With the Berejiklian government returned to office in NSW, the Administrative Arrangements (Administrative Changes – Public Service Agencies) Order 2019 (the Order) was made on 2 April which had the effect of grouping NSW Government functions into the following eight departments:

Department Incorporated functions
Department of Premier and Cabinet Aboriginal Affairs NSW Parts of Office of Environment and Heritage (Administration of legislation to the Special Minister of State, Minister for the Public Service and Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts)
Parts of Treasury (Administration of legislation to the Special Minister of State, Minister for the Public Service, Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts)
Parts of Department of Planning and Environment (Administration of legislation to the Special Minister of State, Minister for the Public Service, Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs and the Arts)
Treasury Parts of Department of Finance, Services and Innovation (Revenue NSW, Support function for Procurement Board, Administration of legislation to the Minister for Finance and Small Business)
Parts of Department of Industry (The Office of the Small Business Commissioner, NSW Trade and Investment, Administration of legislation to the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney)
Department of Customer Service (New) Department of Finance, Services and Innovation Data Analytics Centre
Parts of DPC (Office of the Customer Service Commissioner, and Behavioural Insights Unit)
NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages
Department of Planning and Industry (New) Department of Planning and Environment
Department of Industry
Office of Environment and Heritage
Office of Local Government
Parts of DPC (Administration of legislation to the Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional NSW, Industry and Trade)
Parts of Department of Finance, Services and Innovation
(Administration of legislation to the Minister for Water, Property and Housing)
Parts of Department of Family and Community Services
(Administration of legislation to the Minister for Water, Property and Housing)
Department of Transport No change in function, however, legislation is to be introduced to bring RMS within Transport for NSW. As well in that space, there will be one minister for both roads and transport.
Ministry of Health No change in function.
Department of Education Parts of Department of Industry (Administration of legislation to the Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education)
Department of Family and Community Services and Justice (New) Department of Justice Department of Family and Community Services NSW Government Telecommunications Authority

These changes will present a significant distraction to agency functions during their implementation.

Although the regrouping may streamline certain functions, concerns have been raised in relation to the functionality of super agencies and in respect of conflict management, in particular with the incorporation of the environment function of the Office of Environment and Heritage into the new Department of Planning and Industry.

This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.