The reductions in government spending over the medium term mean that it will not be possible or desirable to simply maintain current models of service delivery. Rather than “top-slicing” budgets, the government is taking a more strategic approach to the consolidation, looking first at removing funding from activities that the state does not need to perform while protecting areas of activity that are vital for the state to provide. However, in all public services there will need to be a focus on improved efficiency, so that the same or better outcomes can be secured with lower inputs.