Report into consultations regarding APS approaches to institutional integrity

The Australian Public Service Commission welcomes the release of the Report into consultations regarding APS approaches to institutional integrity.

The report by Mr Stephen Sedgwick AO on his consultations regarding Australian Public Service (APS) approaches to institutional integrity has been released publicly today.

The Australian Public Service Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO, has welcomed this report as it will further inform the work of the Commission in implementing Government commitments arising from the 2019 Independent Review of the APS.

“This is a culmination of extensive consultations across the APS undertaken by Mr Sedgwick and I thank him for his dedicated work and considered report.” Mr Woolcott said.

As well as meeting with all Departmental Secretaries, Mr Sedgwick met with APS employees at all levels, a number of former Secretaries, and several academics and Code of Conduct specialists, to ensure a clear understanding of the current integrity culture in the APS and a strong basis for his recommendations.

The Commission welcomes Mr Sedgwick’s findings, which confirm that the APS is built on a bedrock of integrity, that staff are dedicated and driven to deliver for Australians, and that the APS operates within robust integrity frameworks. The Commission accepts and agrees to all ten recommendations in the report, which are designed to reinforce the APS’s strong integrity culture, drive a pro-integrity approach, and ensure the APS remains vigilant in maintaining our integrity.

“Many of the recommendations in the report align with the current priorities of the Commission, including the development of mandatory integrity training and a refresh of guidance materials on integrity issues. The Commission will now focus on the implementation of these recommendations”.

The Report was provided to the Secretaries Board before finalising. The recommendations were all supported. The Commission, in partnership with Departments and Agencies across the APS, will now develop an implementation strategy to deliver on all recommendations.

For further information, email media@apsc.gov.au