The Minister for the Public Service has used the Budget to set out a program of reforms for the Australian Public Service (APS) including its capacity to do the job it has to do well.
The Minister, Senator Katy Gallagher said work was already on the way to modernise the APS’s way of working, including the development of a whole-of-service employee value proposition and an approach to flexible work and location strategies.
“These strategies will assist us in reducing the APS’s reliance on consultants and contractors,” Senator Gallagher said.
“The Government will re-institute independent capability reviews of Agencies.”
She said the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) is to lead the reviews, initially as pilots providing independent and transparent reviews of selected agencies.
“They will be forward-looking, identifying what capability is needed for emerging work and challenges.”
The Minister said understanding the capability of the APS and knowing its strength and weaknesses while being transparent about how to work better, is fundamental to building a stronger public sector.
“Investing and setting clear expectations for the APS will build a stronger, more inclusive APS which holds itself to a high standard and embodies integrity in everything it does,” Senator Gallagher said.
“The Government is committed to ensuring a productive, connected and professional APS to move to a new era of policy, development and service delivery,” she said.
“Through the Government’s reforms, we will grow the APS, support greater transparency and genuine partnership with the Australian community and position the APS to work dynamically to support the Government in delivering its agenda for all Australians now and into the future.”
Senator Gallagher’s paper can be found in the Preface of Budget Paper no. 4 at this PS News link.
