As the Prime Minister noted in Parliament on 16 June, Australia, Canada and New Zealand all run generous and respected development programmes and foreign policy from one Ministry. Merging the departments allows us to bring together our international effort and maximise our influence around the world in the national interest. There may be cost savings in the long term as a result of using resources more effectively and efficiently, but this is not the primary goal of this merger. We will implement changes in the most cost-effective way possible and work has commenced on monitoring any additional costs the new Department will need to cover in the short term.