Integrity Agencies Group

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Key outcomes - Latest

Meeting date: 2 May 2024

At the 2 May 2024 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

  • an update from the National Anti-Corruption Commissioner and the Acting Auditor-General on their agencies’ recent findings regarding integrity in Commonwealth agencies; 
  • a presentation from the Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department on the Commonwealth Fraud and Corruption Control Framework, and the outcomes of the APS Integrity Taskforce Report; and

the best way to gather, measure and analyse integrity data across the Australian Public Service.

Terms of reference

Mission:

The mission of the Integrity Agencies Group (IAG) is to ensure that integrity is at the centre of the work of the public sector, and that the APS approach to integrity is integrated, capable, agile and transparent.

Functions:

The IAG is a forum for coordination, enhancement and promotion of institutional integrity across the Commonwealth, including by:

  • Championing an integrated and collaborative approach to integrity within Commonwealth agencies and look for opportunities for improvement.
  • Identifying gaps in existing capability, processes and practices for dealing with integrity risks
  • Sharing information about activities and trends in integrity assurance and combating corruption
  • Informing itself about Commonwealth integrity and anti-corruption strategies, with the objective of supporting coherent and well informed activity
  • Engaging with major government reform initiatives to ensure due regard is paid to adopting modern integrity and anti-corruption practices.
  • Promoting the importance of complaint resolution, auditing, independent investigations and transparency as key elements of an integrity framework.

Governance arrangements:

The IAG will meet twice a year, or more frequently if required.

IAG membership is at the agency head level (or, where formal acting arrangements are in place, acting agency head level).

Meetings will be chaired by the Australian Public Service Commissioner.

Secretariat support will be provided by the Australian Public Service Commission.

A brief communique articulating outcomes of each meeting will be published on the IAG page on the APSC website.

Members

The Integrity Agencies Group includes:

Key outcomes - Previous

Meeting date: 20 November 2023

At the 20 November 2023 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

  • a presentation from the National Anti-Corruption Commissioner on the operations and initial observations of the National Anti-Corruption Commission since its commencement
  • an update from the Auditor-General of Australia on his Office’s recent audit findings regarding integrity in Commonwealth agencies and
  • two forward work plan proposals: the development of an integrity framework resource for publication, and a project on the best use and analysis of integrity indicator data.

Meeting date: 11 April 2023

At the 11 April 2023 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

  • updates from the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the utility of developing a Memorandum of Understanding to guide interactions between agencies;
  • overarching themes emerging from the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme, including how to handle adverse findings and referrals, broader reflections on the APS, and the wellbeing of the individuals involved; and
  • the role and direction of the IAG in the future, pending the commencement of the new APS Commissioner.

Meeting date: 25 October 2022

At the 25 October 2022 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

  • The National Anti-Corruption Commission Legislation.
  • Incoming Commonwealth Ombudsman Mr Iain Anderson’s update on the role and functions of the Commonwealth Ombudsman.
  • The APS Reform plan announced on 13 October 2022 by Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for the Public Service.
  • The Cyber Hub Pilot work being progressed by the Secretaries Digital Committee and the Digital Transformation Agency.

Meeting date: 24 March 2022

At the 24 March 2022 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

  • The Set the Standard: Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces (2021) and implementation of the report’s recommendations.
  • The Australian Government’s role in supporting Indonesia's G20 Presidency in 2022.
  • New measures in the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 2022 and the development of a Senior Executive Service masterclass series on integrity culture.

Meeting date: 15 November 2021

At the 15 November 2021 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

  • The establishment of the Commonwealth Fraud Prevention Centre, and the value of data in integrity oversight roles.
  • Key insights arising from the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity’s (ACLEI) investigations in 2021.
  • The establishment of the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (PWSS).
  • Activities delivered to coincide with Integrity Month and International Fraud Awareness Week, including the ‘Integrity Podcast Series’ and ’APS Craft Conversations’.
  • The rollout of a Strengthening Partnerships pilot and development of a SES masterclass series on integrity culture.

Meeting date: 21 July 2021

At the 21 July 2021 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

  • The recommendations set out in the Review of the Parliamentary Workplace: Responding to Serious Incidents consultation report.
  • Proposed reforms to the Public Interest Disclosure regime.
  • Reflections on the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s role.
  • The launch of the APS Academy, focussing on six ‘craft’ areas, with ‘integrity’ at the centre.
  • Other integrity-related learning and development initiatives being rolled out to complement the APS Academy’s work, along with a refresh of some of the Australian Public Service Commission’s integrity-related guidance materials.

Meeting date: 19 April 2021

At the 19 April 2021 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

Meeting date: 4 November 2020

At the 4 November 2020 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

Meeting date: 14 July 2020

At the 14 July 2020 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed the:

  • recent integrity related reports including the Sex Discrimination Commissioner’s Respect@Work Report and the ANAO’s latest Audit Insights publication;
  • consultations undertaken to date to inform the project around reinforcing integrity in the APS and early themes arising; and
  • proposed revisions to the APSC’s Social Media Policy.

Meeting Date: 6 March 2020

At the 6 March 2020 Integrity Agencies Group meeting, the Group discussed:

  • the role of the IAG in working with the Office of the Pacific and our regional partners in ensuring public sector integrity in the Pacific;
  • proposed project plan for the APS reforms on reinforcing integrity in the APS; and
  • an update on the Government’s proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission.

Meeting date: 12 December 2019

At the 12 December 2019 meeting of the Integrity Agencies Group (IAG), it was agreed that the Terms of Reference and governance arrangements for the Group would be updated.

The revised Terms of Reference clearly capture the IAG’s critical leadership role in driving and championing institutional integrity as a core capability of the APS, with a particular focus on leading coordination, enhancement and promotion of a pro-integrity culture in the APS.

The IAG discussed the status of the Government’s Commonwealth Integrity Commission bill, implementation of proposals outlined in the APS Review, and proposed updates to APSC guidance materials on integrity matters which are planned in 2020.

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