Might be why they did so well last few years if true - Coalition government spent $20.8b on ‘shadow’ public service (afr.com) wonder if it'll continue.

"The former Coalition government spent close to $21 billion on external labour hires in the public service, an audit has shown.

The Australian Public Service Audit of Employment found the service was 37 per cent larger than originally thought, with an additional 53,900 full-time equivalent workers employed.

Those workers were external labour hires, mostly in the form of contractors and consultants.

The audit showed that workforce cost the government $20.8 billion, with about 43 per cent of total spending on external labour relating to ICT (Information and communication technologies) and digital solutions."