State of the Service Report 2021-22 Chapter 1: Strong foundations
The importance of strong foundations in Government has rarely been greater.
The Government and the Australian Public Service (APS) are grappling with the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, international economic disruptions and the increasing complexity of issues. We are also still grappling with COVID-19 and its aftermath, as well as a range of natural disasters.
The ability of public institutions and workforces to manage the nature of such challenges and quickly respond – with creativity at the core – is critical for future prosperity.
A big part of this will be working differently, responding at pace and in unison, without unnecessary processes and too much hierarchy.
The focus must be on services centred on people and the building of partnerships with businesses, civil society and First Nations people. This is how to build trust in uncertain times.
The APS must strive to work better across jurisdictions and sectors, focusing on outcomes not who delivers them.
In addition, the APS must harness the opportunities of technology and data to deliver better services, improve advice to government, and increase efficiency.
The APS also needs to consider how to develop capabilities and leadership for the future.
While the APS has changed, it is clear the public service must keep evolving at pace. It must look beyond the horizon and continue to maintain the high standards of policy advice, regulation and service delivery Australians rightly expect.
And while the APS must accept and embrace change, some principles need to stand firm, like service, integrity and impartiality.
The Australian Government has rightly reinforced that the public service must embody integrity in everything it does, put people and business at the centre of policy and services, be a model employer and have the capability to do its job well.
The bedrock of the APS is its culture – a culture built upon impartiality, commitment to service, accountability, respect, and the highest standards of ethical behaviour.
| APS Reform priorities[2] | ||
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Priority one: An APS that embodies integrity in everything it does The APS acts with integrity and fairness and is accountable and transparent in everything it does. This will build public trust and strengthen standards of integrity in our federal government. Priority two: An APS that puts people and business at the centre of policy and services The APS works in genuine partnership with the community to solve problems and co-design the best solutions to improve the lives of the Australian community. Priority three: An APS that is a model employer The APS is a great place to work, offering staff a quality employee experience in a dynamic workplace that sets the standard for diversity and inclusion. Priority four: An APS that has the capability to do its job well The APS builds the capability of its staff to create a skilled and confident workforce. It should be a robust and trusted institution that can deliver modern policy and service solutions for decades to come. |
Footnotes
[2] APS Reform Office, Our areas of focus, October 2022.