Premier Chris Minns has sacked three department secretaries and split the Department of Premier and Cabinet in two in a sweeping change to NSW public service a month after the elections. 

According to the Australian Financial Review, Secretary for Treasury Paul Grimes, Secretary for Education Georgina Harrisson and Secretary for Transport Rob Sharp are terminated from their government roles as the NSW Premier unveils a new public service structure. 

The public servants will be entitled to payouts of about $400,000. They would also be replaced temporarily before a “merit-based” selection process can happen. 

Check out: New Labour government to act on NSW public sector wages promise 

Paul Grimes will be replaced by current DPC head Michael Coutts-Trotter to help the new treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, ahead of the June budget. 

“There are major challenges in that department,” Mr Minns said. 

“We’ve detailed different aspects of education and transport over the last week, but I have to tell you and, in effect, warn the people of NSW, there’s much more to talk about when it comes to Treasury and the budget situation.” 

The NSW Premier revealed that the Department of Premier and Cabinet will be split into a Cabinet Office and a separate Department of Premier, removing the government’s cluster model where departments, agencies and organisations are arranged into groups. 

“The cluster system that’s been in place in the state for the last decade… I don’t believe is working,” Mr Minns said. 

“It’s pushing down decision-making theoretically to the departmental bureaucratic level, but in reality, there’s no substitute for the cabinet office. These decisions have to be made at the senior levels of the NSW government.” 

The NSW Premier also announced an independent review of the $60 billion Sydney Metro project last Thursday. 

“We want to make sure that we’re getting the calls right, and it’s consistent with our budget priorities,” Mr Minns said. 

“It’s important that $25 billion worth of spending from the NSW government actually delivers on its promise to change Sydney and deliver value for money as well as ease of access.” 

Check out: How new leaders bring change to the public sector 

The recent announcements have caused shockwaves throughout the state’s public sector. While leadership changes were expected, many were surprised by the sudden massive changes to departmental structures. 

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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