Premier Jay Weatherill’s department is shrinking at pace, with a range of agencies being shifted to the newly established Department of State Development.

The chief executive of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC), Jim Hallion, told staff this morning that four units would be relocated from DPC to State Development, including Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Arts SA, the Office of the Economic Development Board and Invest in SA.

Safework SA is also being moved out of DPC to the Attorney-General’s Department.

In an email to staff, Hallion said “this week Cabinet approved several changes to State Government agencies, many of which involve the Department of the Premier and Cabinet”.

“I will send a message to the entire Public Service later this morning, but in the first instance wanted to share this information with you.

“The changes build on the Government’s agenda to use the newly created Department of State Development (DSD) to harness South Australia’s expertise in innovation, skills development and industry transformation – to drive economic growth and create jobs.

“As a result, the following areas of DPC will transfer to DSD:

• Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (AARD), including the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement
• Arts SA
• The Office of the Economic Development Board
• Invest in SA

“In addition, SafeWork SA will move to the Attorney-General’s Department to align more closely with other services provided to employers, workers, business, government and industry.

“I would like to acknowledge the excellent work of each of these areas during their time with DPC and for contributing to the goals and objectives of the agency.

“These changes are in line with the Premier’s ministerial portfolios. We will continue to serve the Premier and Cabinet in delivering the Government’s strategic priorities and I look forward to your continuing commitment to the tasks ahead.

“The changes will take effect from 1 July 2014.”

In his later email, Hallion also announced that the South East Forestry Partnership Program (currently with DMITRE) and the High Value Food Manufacturing Centre (currently with DFEEST) would move to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

Veterans’ Affairs would move from the Department of Treasury and Finance to the Department for Communities and Social Inclusion.

As InDaily reported last week, the Department of State Development is substantially a merger of the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy (DMITRE) and the Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST).

Weatherill said last week the new department would be the government’s “front door to business” and would be given the task of implementing Labor’s jobs plan.

“We are bringing together the portfolios of employment and business to provide stewardship of the next stage of the state’s economic transformation,” he said.

“This is about creating stronger links between Government and the private sector so that barriers to job creation can be identified and removed. The department will also be given the role of case managing private sector major projects to ensure they are given the best opportunity to succeed.”