The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) has released its Diversity and Inclusion Report for 2022, providing an overview of diversity and inclusion in the APS at this moment.
Intended to assist Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and Human Resources (HR) practitioners in the APS, the inaugural annual D&I report features insights, opportunities for improvement and presents case studies of current practice.
According to APS Commissioner, Peter Woolcott the APSC should be striving for diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging in the APS as it is important for its people and their role model values as well as outcomes for the Australian public and for the Government.
“We have a responsibility to create a workforce that represents and best serves the Australian community,” Mr Woolcott said.
In a statement, the APSC said that striving for diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging in the APS is important for its people as change continues to impact the way it delivers for the Government, citizens and communities.
“The unprecedented pace of change and disruption globally, and the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, has heightened expectations of the Public Service and there is an imperative to embed diversity and inclusion so that we deliver effective outcomes for the Government and Australian community,” it said.
“Quite simply if we are to serve the entire Australian community, we need to reflect that community.”
It said the research was clear: “Diversity and inclusion is a powerful enabler of performance and APS Agencies that leverage diversity and inclusion will be better positioned to adapt to future challenges and increase productivity.”
“The APS needs diversity in the workforce to deliver innovative policy and services and to maintain the high regard for our integrity and citizen-centric focus.
“When diversity is missing, important ideas are missed.”
It said issues arise in implementing policies and delivering products and services because those creating them are working from a single perspective.
“Diverse and inclusive leaders, teams, and workforces are better positioned to create new ideas that improve outcomes for our community.”
It said responsibility for D&I strategy actions sat with individual Agencies – that said the Australian Public Service Commission sets the strategic direction and has a responsibility to tell the overarching story of change across the APS.
“This report begins to tell the story of the APS as a whole and where there may be opportunities for change, complemented by examples of diversity and inclusion actions taken by individual agencies,” the APSC said.
More information, including Diversity and Inclusion Report 2022 can be accessed on the APSC website at this PS News link.
