The Australian Public Service Commissioner, and Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, have issued an open letter to the Australian Public Service (APS) calling on members everywhere to act as ‘1 APS’.
In their letter, Secretary of PM&C, Phil Gaetjens (pictured) and APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott said the work of the APS in 2020 demonstrated that it could make an enormous difference to the lives of many Australians.
“In 2021, some of you are working to deliver the rollout of vaccines — the single greatest logistical challenge the APS has faced in living memory,” the letter said.
“Some of you are helping cement Australia’s economic recovery through policies and programs to support job creation. Many of you are providing essential services to Australians, and helping build their trust and satisfaction with the services we provide.”
It said others were protecting and securing Australians’ interests in a challenging global environment or continuing to protect the health of the nation’s soil, water and landscapes.
“While we all have different roles to play, our message to you is simple: No individual or team, no Agency or portfolio can deliver any of these priorities alone,” it said.
“We need to work together — across the APS, with business and community sectors, and with other Governments — to meet the needs of Australians.
“We need to operate as ‘1 APS’.”
The letter noted that in 2020 there was the greatest movement of staff across the APS than there had ever been in order to continue to deliver services.
“Record numbers of staff stepped up to meet the needs of Australians in incredibly challenging circumstances. Thank you again for what you did in 2020 and for what you are doing this year,” it said.
It said the Public Service was made up of passionate and committed professionals, motivated by getting it right for the people it serves.
“The Australian public has high expectations of the APS, and we know that you can deliver,” the two leaders said.
The full letter can be accessed on the PM&C website at this PS News link.
