The claim in The Australian newspaper today that there are 932 government bodies is a complete misinterpretation of the facts.
There are in fact 197 agencies and entities that currently fall under the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act and the Financial Management and Accountability Act.
In March 2006, under the previous Government, there were 194 government agencies and entities.
The article misleadingly includes things like office holders, trusts, partnerships and joint ventures in its calculations.
But these are things that facilitate the work of departments - they are not additional.
For example, an office holder, as part of their role in their Department, may compile and update a list of preferred suppliers.
According to the article, this is an additional government entity when in fact it is an office holder conducting work within their Department.
Of course, the Government does review the number of Australian bodies and agencies on a continual basis, and just as partnerships and trusts are established, they are abolished.
Today's article is a nothing more than a colossal beat-up.
Since coming to government, we have worked to find every opportunity we can to do business better and more efficiently.
We have saved $13 billion through government efficiencies since 2007, through measures such as whole-of-government travel, implementing more efficient and effective management of ICT and revising recruitment advertising guidelines.