Successful partnerships between the Australian Public Service (APS) and the private sector are the main reasons for the success of the APS in recent years according to the Minister for Finance, Senator Simon Birmingham.
Discussing the condition of the General Government Sector as part of this week’s Budget 2022-23 which was brought down by the Treasurer on Tuesday (29 March), Senator Birmingham (pictured right) said the Commonwealth was at its most productive when it “consults closely with the communities it serves.”
“Non-Government organisations can offer the public sector access to cutting-edge skills and technological advances, especially in ICT and analytics,” Senator Birmingham said.
“They can also offer commercial experience in areas such as client service, as well as independent views and assurance suited to program evaluation,” he said.
“Partnerships between the public and private sector have been instrumental to the modernisation of government ICT infrastructure.”
Senator Birmingham said the Government’s commercial suppliers were instrumental in supporting the public sector’s responses to the historic challenges that arose from 2020, helping to sustain the rapid delivery of Government programs during the worst of the pandemic and natural disasters that have followed.
He said that as Australia continued to demonstrate its leadership in the face of national and global events, the APS was delivering outstanding performance to help meet the needs of the nation’s citizens.
“COVID-19 has been a catalyst for change in both the public and private sectors,” the Minister said, “accelerating efforts to digitise services, driving more transactions online and providing more responsive services to clients.”
“This Budget marks a point in time distinguished by serious challenges and major opportunities not only for our nation, but the world as a whole,” he said.
“The Government is working with the APS, as a trusted partner, as we implement the COVID-19 recovery plan to help Australia bounce back faster and stronger.”
The Minister’s full commentary can be accessed at Budget Paper No. 4 at this PS News link.
