Home > The Values and relations with the Government and the Parliament

Public servants, Ministers and parliamentarians operate under the law within a democratic political system in which there is ultimate accountability of governments to the Australian people through the electoral process. Ministers and governments as the elected representatives of the Australian people determine and define the public interest through government programs and policies. The APS advises the Government and implements its programs and policies, and has clear responsibility to protect the public interest in terms of ensuring compliance with the law and promoting due process for administrative decision-making. It also has a vital role in providing a longer-term perspective to decision-making and policy development. Ministers and public servants share the objective of achieving better outcomes for the Australian community.

There are three APS Values central to the relationship between the APS and the Government and the Parliament.

• The APS is apolitical, performing its functions in an impartial and professional manner.
• The APS is openly accountable for its actions, within the framework of ministerial responsibility to the Government, the Parliament and the Australian public.
• The APS is responsive to the Government in providing frank, honest, comprehensive, accurate and timely advice and in implementing the Government’s policies and programs.

This chapter explores these Values in practice in relation to several important aspects of the accountability and governance framework underpinning the work of public servants. Specifically, the chapter examines aspects of agencies’ and employees’ interactions with the Parliament and the Government, including dealings with Ministers and ministerial offices. It also addresses agencies’ and employees’ experience of an important accountability issue–record keeping.