Page 2179 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 3 August 2016
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(b) introduced to the Assembly legislation establishing an independent office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner to handle misconduct procedures and public interest disclosure responsibilities; and
(c) prioritised delivery of essential health services, education, and transport options for Canberrans, and considered land development and unsolicited proposals through evidence-based and accountable decision-making; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) consider the recommendations of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts’ Report into the 2016 Strategic Review of the Auditor-General in the context of the 2017 Budget process; and
(b) continue to deliver the health, education, public transport, renewable energy and economic outcomes Canberrans require, while maintaining high standards of integrity and accountability.”.
I am happy to stand yet again and continue yesterday afternoon’s debate about the measures that successive Labor governments have put in place to improve probity, integrity and accountability in decision-making here in the territory. The integrity framework that has been built is something that would not exist but for the sustained work of members of this government. We know how important these measures have been to restore confidence in decision-making following the change of government in 2001. The framework we have put in place is structured to ensure that the community can know how and why decisions affecting Canberra are made and to be confident that the actions that are taken are for the public benefit.
That is why the government has put in place a code of conduct for members of this place, a code of conduct for executive staff, a Commissioner for Standards, a lobbyist register and supporting code of conduct, an Ethics and Integrity Adviser, a contemporary public interest disclosure legislative framework, and a code of conduct for the ACT public service supported by a performance framework. We have also established a cabinet deliberation process that is the most open to the public in the country, releasing cabinet documents after only 10 years, and summaries of cabinet decisions and outcomes two weeks after the relevant meeting.
The government supports this level of openness, scrutiny and accountability and has put this framework in place. But it is not a one-off task; it is something you must continue to work at to make sure that it is current and fit for purpose. It is about being mindful of the probity risks that emerge over time and taking steps to manage or eliminate them. That is why in this sitting period the Assembly will debate the government’s Public Sector Management Amendment Bill which, among other things, establishes an independent office of the public sector standards commissioner to enhance and promote public sector values, principles and conduct.
To promote the independence of the role, the bill prohibits the occupier of the office of the public sector standards commissioner from also being an ACT public servant. The creation of this independent role in the bill is one very important part to legislation establishing and regulating the public service and ensuring it maintains the highest standards of ethical conduct and integrity. We look forward to the debate on that bill tomorrow.
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