GOVERNMENT’S NEW BILL TO STRENGTHEN THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SERVICE

14 June 2023

SENATOR THE HON KATY GALLAGHER
MINISTER FOR FINANCE
MINISTER FOR WOMEN
MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE
SENATOR FOR THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

THE HON PATRICK GORMAN MP
ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER
ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE

GOVERNMENT’S NEW BILL TO STRENGTHEN THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SERVICE

The Albanese Government is taking the next steps in rebuilding the Australian Public Service by introducing a bill to amend the Public Service Act 1999.

Millions of Australians interact with the APS every day – speaking to Centrelink on the phone for support, receiving subsidised medicines through the PBS or applying for a passport.

The Minister for the Public Service, Senator Katy Gallagher, said the Albanese Government is delivering on its promise to build a stronger public service after a decade of neglect under the Coalition.

“We are cleaning up the mess left by the Coalition, they gutted the public service, reduced capability, and outsourced billions of dollars of work to consultants and contractors.”

“At its heart, this bill and the Albanese Government’s broader APS reform agenda are about restoring the public’s trust and faith in government and its institutions.”

“The reforms will strengthen the APS’ core purpose and values, build the capability and expertise of the APS, and support good governance, accountability and transparency.”

The bill will:

Add a new APS Value of Stewardship.
Require an APS purpose statement.
Strengthen the relevant provision in the Public Service Act to make it clear that Ministers cannot direct agency heads on employment matters.
Encourage decision making at the lowest appropriate level.
Make regular capability reviews a requirement.
Require annual APS Employee Census results to be published, along with an action plan responding to the results.
Establish at least one long term insight briefing each year.

The Assistant Minister for the Public Service, Patrick Gorman, said the bill is locking in important reforms.

“The challenges facing Australia over the coming decade are immense.”

“The APS will continue to play an integral role in meeting the changing needs of government and the community with professionalism and integrity.”

Many of the proposed changes align with recommendations from the 2019 Thodey Review.

To read more about the proposed changes visit www.apsreform.gov.au

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 2023