The Prime Minister has announced that an independent review is to be conducted into the Australian Public Service (APS) to ensure it is best placed to serve Australian Governments and the Australian people into the future.
The PM, Malcolm Turnbull said the review would be conducted by a panel led by former Chief Executive of Telstra and current Chair of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), David Thodey (pictured).
Mr Turnbull said the APS had a long history advising Governments and serving the people but a range of global, technological and public policy developments were transforming the economy and society, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
He said that as a result, the time was right to examine the capability, culture and operating model of the APS to ensure it was ready to capitalise on the opportunities, improve citizens’ experience of Government, and deliver better services.
“Our APS must be apolitical, professional and efficient,” Mr Turnbull said.
“It needs to drive policy and implementation, using technology and data to deliver for the Australian community.
“Many of the fundamentals of Australia’s public sector in 2018 reflect the outcomes of a Royal Commission held back in the mid-1970s.”
He said members of the review panel would include Maile Carnegie from the ANZ Bank; Professor Glyn Davis of the University of Melbourne; former Secretary of the Department of the Environment and Energy, Gordon de Brouwer; Belinda Hutchinson from the University of Sydney; and Alison Watkins of Coca-Cola Amatil.
Mr Turnbull said the panel would consult widely, both within and outside the APS and be supported by a Secretariat in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
He expected to receive the panel’s report in 2019.
The 20-member APS Secretaries Board has written an open letter to all APS staff welcoming the review.
“The APS, like any organisation, must adapt to change and strive for improvement,” the Secretaries Board said.
“We expect the review will consult widely, both across and beyond the APS. We encourage you to participate and share your views in a frank and fearless manner.”
The full text of the Secretaries Board’s open letter can be accessed at this PS News link.
