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Last updated: August 2007
Accountability
Accountability to Ministers and Parliament
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Under the Public Service Act 1999 agency heads must uphold and promote the APS Value that requires the APS to be openly accountable for its actions, within the framework of Ministerial responsibility to the Government, the Parliament and the Australian public (section 10(1)(e)).
In upholding and promoting this APS Value an agency head must take all reasonable steps to ensure that he or she:
- understands the accountability framework within which he or she operates
- meets individual and agency statutory and reporting obligations
- is able, within the accountability framework, to demonstrate clearly and appropriately to Ministers, to the Parliament and to other stakeholders that he or she has efficiently, effectively and ethically used the resources allocated to him or her.
In addition, sections 57(2) and 66(2) of the Public Service Act require departmental secretaries and heads of executive agencies to assist the responsible agency Minister to fulfil their accountability obligations to the Parliament by providing factual information about the operation and administration of the agency.
The Australian National Audit Office Better Practice Guide 2003: Managing Parliamentary Workflow provides practical assistance to Australian Government agencies in their management of Ministerial and parliamentary support arrangements.
The Australian Public Service Commission’s Good Practice Guide 2006: Supporting Ministers, Upholding the Values provides guidance to Australian Government agencies on building and promoting effective relationships with Ministers and their offices.
