By Angela Dorizas NSW Opposition Leader Barry O’Farrell has made an election promise to strengthen professionalism in public sector governance and slash the number of ministerial staff. Presenting at the Chartered Secretaries Australia Public Sector Update on Tuesday, Mr O’Farrell said the potential of the state’s public service was “squandered by poor governance”. He pledged […]
13 October, 2010
Commonwealth public servants and government contractors can expect to receive a single security clearance recognised by all agencies. The Gillard Government has announced the launch of the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) – a centralised agency for all Commonwealth security checks. The new arrangements were announced by Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, Attorney-General, Robert […]
1 October, 2010
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has released a new guide on asset management in public sector entities. The new report, Better Practice Guide on the Strategic and Operational Management of Assets by Public Sector Entities, is an update on previous guides. It aims to provide a practical asset management framework that can be adopted by […]
13 September, 2010
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) and Department of Finance and Deregulation have released a new edition of the good practice guide, Implementing Machinery of Government Changes. Secretary of the Department of Finance and Deregulation, David Tune, said the publication was designed to provide practical guidance to help agencies implement machinery of government changes. “As […]
10 September, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The Coalition’s plan to cut 12,000 jobs from the Australian Public Service will have a major impact on regional economies, according to research by an independent think-tank. In a policy paper released on Tuesday, the Australia Institute warned that the Coalition’s two-year hiring freeze would negatively impact on regions with the highest […]
18 August, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The Queensland Government has introduced a new breastfeeding policy for its public service, providing paid lactation breaks and a private, clean breastfeeding space for working mothers. Premier Anna Bligh said the new policy, developed in conjunction with Queensland Health and the Public Service Commission, would apply to all government employees. “This policy […]
5 August, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has announced that a Coalition Government would introduce a $1.2 billion package of expenditure reductions in order to bring the budget back into surplus. A Coalition Government would axe a number of environmental programs, including the Green Building Fund, Retooling for Climate Change Initiative and the $200 […]
20 July, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Prime Minister Julia Gillard has refuted claims that she would cut the public service to pay for election commitments. Ms Gillard last week announced that there would be “unpopular cutbacks” to fund future policies and return the budget to surplus within three years. Speaking in Brisbane on Sunday, Ms Gillard reassured government […]
20 July, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The New South Wales Government must increase the public service to meet the challenges of population growth, a new report has found. An independent report by Eureka Economics revealed that the NSW Government must employ on average 4700 extra public service workers each year over the next 20 years to keep up with demand […]
1 June, 2010
By Angela Dorizas The Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU) said the 2010/11 Budget is a “mixed bag” for Australian public servants. CPSU national secretary, Nadine Flood, said the sector welcomed funding for Defence and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, but was concerned at the scale of cuts in Customs, Centrelink and the Department of […]
13 May, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Federal politicians and public servants will no longer benefit from frequent flyer points when travelling by air, Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner has announced. The Government has introduced new arrangements for the provision of domestic and international air services and travel management services to all agencies. Mr Tanner said the new deal is expected to […]
10 May, 2010
By Angela Dorizas A whole-of-government strategic ICT workforce plan and ICT career structure has been unveiled by the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC). The APSC said the purpose of the whole-of-government ICT strategic workforce plan was to assist APS agencies in identifying the ICT capacity and capabilities and develop a strategic APS-wide understanding of the […]
29 April, 2010
By Angela Dorizas A review of the Australian Public Service (APS) has proposed changes to funding and staff arrangements to ensure high-quality outcomes for the public. The review was conducted by a special advisory group chaired by Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet chief Terry Moran The blueprint made 28 recommendations in nine areas of reform, […]
1 April, 2010
By Angela Dorizas Public servants who blow the whistle on maladministration will be protected from prosecution under a proposed Federal Government scheme. Cabinet Secretary, Senator Joe Ludwig, last night unveiled Australia's first federal law on whistleblower protection. “The Rudd Government is progressing its election commitment to ensure appropriate processes are put in place, and protections […]
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