Petition Annual reporting on the Department of Education

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that the Department of Education receives significant taxpayer funding each year to deliver public education, early childhood education and related services. Victorians have a strong interest in understanding how public funds are allocated and spent, and whether departmental resources are being used efficiently and effectively. Greater transparency regarding annual funding, expenditure, staffing levels, administrative costs and operational efficiency would strengthen public confidence, improve accountability and ensure that the maximum proportion of funding is directed towards frontline education services and student outcomes.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to require the Department of Education to publish an annual report detailing total taxpayer funding received, expenditure by major program and function, staffing numbers and administrative costs and to commission an independent efficiency and performance review to identify unnecessary expenditure or waste, duplication of functions or administrative processes, opportunities to improve efficiency and ensure better value for taxpayers' money and assess whether departmental staffing levels are appropriate to the Department's operational requirements, with findings to be tabled in Parliament and made publicly available.