Radical change to the Australian Public Service (APS) is not necessary to ensure institutional integrity according to an independent report from former APS Commissioner, Stephen Sedgwick.
In his Report into consultations regarding APS approaches to ensure institutional integrity, Mr Sedgwick said he adopted a broader view of ‘institutional integrity’, “one perhaps better conveyed as ‘the pursuit of high standards of APS professionalism’.”
“I found that the compliance framework to support APS institutional integrity does not currently require radical additional changes, noting the Government’s decision to consider the establishment of a Commonwealth Integrity Commission,” he said.
“However, some ‘no regrets’ options are available to better ensure that awareness about potential integrity concerns and the skills to address them are continually refreshed as new risks emerge, as individuals assume additional leadership responsibilities, and for each succeeding generation of Public Servants.
“A consistent and strong approach will help forestall the development of integrity risks that may emerge if staff perceive that poor behaviour or practices are tolerated, even possibly in respect of relatively small things, a theme which emerged regularly in consultations with staff.”
Mr Sedgwick made 10 recommendations to ensure a pro-integrity APS culture, arranged around three key areas: Awareness, capability and accountability.
He said his recommendations included the consideration of greater consistency in the training provided across APS Agencies at different stages of an employee’s career and for measures to increase participation in relevant awareness raising or capability development opportunities.
“A number, including those that strengthen core capabilities of emerging leaders, for example to create ‘psychologically safe’ workplaces and to address quickly small matters of concern to staff, are expected to provide significant benefits beyond addressing integrity concerns, promoting innovation, increased productivity and effective delivery,” he said.
“The recommendations also include proposals to review and strengthen, as necessary, elements of the APS accountability framework.”
APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott welcomed Mr Sedgwick’s Report, saying it would further inform the work of the Commission in implementing recommendations from the 2019 Independent Review of the APS.
Mr Woolcott said the Commission had accepted and agreed to all 10 recommendations and, in partnership with Departments and Agencies across the APS, would develop an implementation strategy to deliver on the recommendations.
Mr Sedgwick’s 34-page Report can be accessed at this PS News link.
