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Public Service reform

Ministerial Press Release

Dr David Kemp, the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, introduced the Public Service Bill 1999 into Parliament today.

"Modernisation of the legislation regulating the Australian Public Service is necessary if we are to achieve public sector reform," said Dr Kemp.

"The current legislation is over 75 years old and has been amended on a piece- meal basis on more that one hundred occasions. It is a product of a bygone age rather than a forward looking document suited to the Twenty-first Century.

"Across the economy the Government has pursued a policy of micro-economic reform. This has delivered significant benefits through the establishment of structures and cultures that emphasise innovation and flexibility."

Dr Kemp said that the Bill is the same as the Bill passed by the House of Representatives on 30 October 1997.

The Government believes it is important for the Senate to consider the Bill again so that APS agencies can be freed from central control and allowed to adopt employment arrangements which meet their particular needs.

While the Government has introduced a number of its reforms through administrative means, the Bill is important because there are a number of key areas in the current legislation that are not amenable to simplification by administrative action. Some examples are:

giving employment powers direct to Agency Heads
ensuring a secure framework for APS values, the new code of conduct and protection for whistleblowers by their inclusion in primary legislation
removing complex appeals arrangements
removing inflexible employment categories
removing compulsory age 65 retirement

"The Government wants to assist the Public Service to move towards the goal of becoming a high performing institution. We cannot afford to lose the opportunity to develop a modern Act which will guide the Public Service into the next century and give it the tools to meet future challenges," said Dr Kemp.

"The Public Service Bill is a very important piece of legislation. I hope that, with the assistance of the Opposition and minor parties in the Senate, we can progress this legislation to allow the Australian Public Service to achieve its full potential to provide a more modern, dynamic and responsive service to its clients."

Media Contact: Samantha Herron 02 6277 7460 or 0412 639 754