Policy Address
Enhancing the Effectiveness of Governance
Re-organising the Government Structure
32. Even if there is no large-scale regional development project, I am of the view that there is still a need to re-organise the policy bureaux to complement our policy focuses and meet social expectations. I propose that the current-term Government shall consult various sectors and stakeholders in the coming months to work out a detailed re-organisation proposal for consideration and implementation by the next-term Government. After consolidating our experience in administration as well as taking account of the views of the LegCo and relevant sectors, my initial thinking on the re-organisation may take the following directions:
- to set up a Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to consolidate the culture portfolio and the creative industries and tourism portfolio currently under the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) and the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau respectively, thereby facilitating the development of Hong Kong as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange;
- to split the Transport and Housing Bureau (THB) to provide a more dedicated high-level steer for these two major policy areas, enabling in particular the new Transport Bureau to focus on transport infrastructure, public transport services and traffic management which are matters closely related to people’s livelihood, while facilitating the development of the logistics industry, as well as consolidating and enhancing Hong Kong’s status as an international transportation centre and an international aviation hub;
- to explore whether there is room to rationalise the work of the Housing Bureau upon the split and the Development Bureau (DEVB), which is responsible for land development and public works, in order to expedite land supply for housing;
- to expand the Innovation and Technology Bureau into the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau to change the perception that local industries are declining and highlight the role of I&T in promoting the development of re-industrialisation in Hong Kong; and
- to re-organise the HAB into the Youth and District Affairs Bureau to step up efforts to address district issues of daily concern to the public with a district-based approach, and to provide a one-stop platform for promoting and supporting youth development.
33. The above views are only intended to stimulate further thought. I hope that the new-term LegCo may commence discussion on the re-organisation of policy bureaux immediately upon its formation. In the next few months, I and all Secretaries of Departments and Directors of Bureaux will exchange views with stakeholders on this matter and formulate detailed proposals.
