MPC Annual report 2017–18: Governance, management and accountability
The Office of the Merit Protection Commissioner, established under section 49 of the Public Service Act, is an independent statutory officer located within the Australian Public Service Commission. Ms Linda Waugh began a five-year term on 25 June 2018. The previous Merit Protection Commissioner, Ms Annwyn Godwin, resigned on 31 December 2017, and Mr Mark Davidson acted in the role from 1 January to 24 June 2018. Ms Amanda MacDonald also acted in the role, from 17 July to 21 August 2017, as did Mr Bruce Barbour, from 28 June to 20 July 2018.
The Merit Protection Commissioner’s functions are set out in sections 50 and 50A of the Public Service Act and Parts 2, 4, 5 and 7 of the Regulations.
The Merit Protection Commissioner provides an important role for the APS by ensuring consistent standards of decision-making and people management practices throughout the APS.
This report and further information about the Merit Protection Commissioner’s role and services are available on the Merit Protection Commission website.
Corporate governance
The Australian Public Service Commissioner, as agency head of the Commission, is responsible for its corporate governance.
During 2017–18 the Merit Protection Commissioner had managerial responsibility for the work of the Commission employees made available to work in the Office of the Merit Protection Commissioner. The Merit Protection Commissioner was also an observer of the Commission’s Executive, a senior management group chaired by the Commissioner.
Organisational structure
The staff who support the work of the Merit Protection Commissioner are made available by the Australian Public Service Commissioner in accordance with section 49 of the Public Service Act. The Merit Protection Commissioner and the Commissioner have a memorandum of understanding for the provision of staff. The current memorandum of understanding took effect in June 2015.
The Merit Protection Commissioner is based in the Commission’s Sydney office and has staff in both the Sydney and the Canberra offices of the Commission. During 2017–18 the Merit Protection Commissioner was supported by 12 employees.
Information publication scheme
Information about the Merit Protection Commissioner is provided in the Australian Public Service Commission’s plan, which is available at https://www.apsc.gov.au/information-publication-scheme-ips.