Strengthening Partnerships: Toolkit
As part of the Government’s response to the 2019 Independent Review of the Australian Public Service, the APSC appointed a Ministerial Liaison Reference Panel to develop guidance on the respective roles, responsibilities and operating environments of the APS and Ministerial offices.
The APSC and the Panel has produced four guidance papers for the APS and Ministerial offices.
The APSC has also created a directory of links to essential public administration resources to support the partnership between the APS and Ministerial offices.
Guidance papers (Appendix A)
Ministerial Transitions
This paper outlines broad principles for transitions that take place during the course of the relationship between the APS and the government of the day. It is intended for senior departmental officials, departmental staff responsible for portfolio support, Ministerial staff and Ministers.
The Operating Environment of a Ministerial Office
The purpose of this guidance is to provide an overview of the operating environment of a Ministerial office. It is intended for members of the Australian Public Service (APS).
Working with Ministers
The intent of this paper is to provide guidance to all APS employees on engagement with Ministers and their staff. Each Minister and their staff works differently, but awareness of underlying principles will contribute towards a productive and trusting relationship between them and the APS.
Departmental Liaison Officers
This paper provides guidance for high performing candidates interested in the role of a Departmental Liaison Officer (DLO).
Strengthening Partnerships Resources (Appendix B)
| Document Name | Relevant Content | Document Owner | Publication Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabinet Handbook, 14th Edition | Cabinet Handbook | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | 2020 | www.pmc.gov.au |
| Government Guidelines for Official Witnesses Before Parliamentary Committees and Related Matters | General information on Parliamentary Committees, making submissions (including clearance of submissions by a minister), consultations with minister's ahead of hearings, parliamentary privilege requests for information during caretaker periods and public interest immunity claims. | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | 2015 | www.pmc.gov.au |
| Guidance on Caretaker Conventions | General guidance on caretaker conventions, specific to PM&C's processes. Includes information on policy decisions, international negotiations and visits, avoiding APS involvement in election activities (specifically, DLOs) and internal agency matters. | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | 2018 | www.pmc.gov.au |
| Learning from Failure: Why large government policy initiatives have gone so badly wrong in the past and how the chances of success in the future can be improved | Independent Review of Government processes which provided 28 proposals. Of relevance, the proposals relate to providing advice and supporting decision making. | Australian Public Service Commission | 2015 | www.apsc.gov.au |
| Statement of Standards for Ministerial Staff | Standards that Ministerial staff are expected to meet in the performance of their duties. | Special Minister of State | Undated | www.smos.gov.au |
| Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines 2017 | Information on Ministers' roles and responsibilities under the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Guidelines 2017. | Department of Finance | 2017 | www.finance.gov.au |
| Australian Constitution | The Constitution of Australia | Parliament of Australia | 1901 | www.aph.gov.au |
| Public Service Act 1999 | Public Service Act 1999 | Federal Register of Legislation | 1999 | www.legislation.gov.au |
| Social Media Guidance | Social media: Guidance for Australian Public Service Employees and Agencies | Australian Public Service Commission | 2020 | www.apsc.gov.au |
| Ahead of the Game | Blueprint For The Reform Of Australian Government Administration | Terry Moran and Advisory Group on Reform of Australian Government Administration | 2010 | www.apsreview.gov.au |
| Our Public Service, Our Future: Independent Review of the Australian Public Service | Independent Review of the Australian Public Service | David Thodey AO and independent review panel | 2019 | www.pmc.gov.au |
| Delivering for Australians | A world-class Australian Public Service: The Government’s APS reform agenda, and the Australian Government's response to Our Public Service, Our Future | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | 2019 | www.pmc.gov.au |
| Legislation Handbook | Describes the procedures involved in making Commonwealth Acts, especially the procedures coordinated by PM&C. | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | 2017 | www.pmc.gov.au |
| Overview of the Federal Budget | Overview of the Budget Process | Department of Finance | 2021 | www.finance.gov.au |
| Ministry List | Current Minsitry List | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | 2021 | www.pmc.gov.au |
| Shadow Ministry List | Current Shadow Ministry List | Parliament of Australia | 2021 | www.aph.gov.au |
| Parliamentary Handbook | Detailed information about Parliament including the parliamentary service and political careers of Senators and Members, details of elections, and historical information on the Parliament. | Parliament of Australia | 2020 | www.aph.gov.au |
| Ministerial and Parliamentary Services - Department of Finance | Ministerial and Parliamentary Services (MaPS) administers the provision of non-travel related work expenses and services to parliamentarians and their respective employees. MaPS administers the employment framework for staff of parliamentarians and provides a number of HR and support services. | Department of Finance | 2021 | www.finance.gov.au |
| Administrative Arrangements Order | Ministerial responsibilities | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet | 2021 | www.pmc.gov.au |
| Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 | Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 | Federal Register of Legislation | 1984 | www.legislation.gov.au |