Senator John Faulkner
35/2008
27 November 2008
The 2007–08 State of the Service report was tabled in Parliament today. The report provides a comprehensive annual overview of the Australian Public Service (APS).
This report is a key element of the accountability framework within which the public service operates and ensures a high degree of transparency in its employment practices.
Some positive results in the area of ethics and integrity are particularly pleasing in light of the Rudd Government’s commitment to restoring the traditions of Westminster government.
One significant finding was that of the 17% of APS employees who had contact with Ministers or their advisers in 07-08, only 20% reported that they had faced a challenge in balancing the need to be apolitical, impartial and professional, responsive to government and openly accountable. This represents a dramatic fall from the 33% recorded in 2004–05, the last available period of comparison.
Another good indicator was that 77% of APS employees were satisfied with the job attributes they identified as important. Four in five APS employees would also recommend the APS as a good place to work.
Since coming to office, the Government has taken immediate steps to restore confidence in the APS with actions on agency head appointments, Secretaries’ incumbency and remuneration, and implementing tough new guidelines for government advertising.
The Government has revised the Standards of Ministerial Ethics, introduced codes of conduct for both Ministerial Staff and lobbyists, and is reforming Freedom of Information and whistleblower protection laws.
This State of the Service report reflects many of these confidence building measures.
The Rudd Government appreciates the professionalism of the Australian Public Service and the energy and work commitment which has been demonstrated as the Government delivers on its undertakings to the Australian people.
The State of the Service Report 2007–08 is available at: www.apsc.gov.au/stateoftheservice
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