Biggest public service shake-up in decades to claim senior scalps

The prime minister has announced a major change to the public sector, with the number of government departments set to cut from 18 to 14. Scott Morrison announced on Thursday four new combined departments have been created to ensure “services Australians rely on are delivered more efficiently and more effectively”. The new department of Education, Skills and Employment will be created with Mr Morrison describing it as “having a continuity from the day you walk into a school to the day you walk into a job and beyond”. The New department of Agriculture, Water and Environment will be led by Secretary Andrew Metcalfe. “The new structures will drive greater collaboration, and will ensure important policy challenges in which different parts of the public service are working on can work effectively together," the prime minister said. Mr Morrison also said there will be no change to ministerial portfolios because he is “very pleased, very pleased, with the performance of all my ministers”. Image: News Corp Australia