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

CONCLUSIONS

This year’s employee survey results confirm that a significant proportion of the APS has direct contact with Ministers and/or their advisers on a range of matters and that the direct contact is occurring at levels below the SES. The increased role and reach of ministerial advisers has become an integral component of government administration.

Anecdotal evidence that the extent and nature of the interaction between APS employees and ministerial offices has changed over time is reinforced by this year’s employee survey results that indicate that the interaction today is not only extensive but is overwhelmingly in relation to matters of substance (such as the provision of advice and factual information) rather than administrative support. Not surprisingly, the employee survey results show that interaction is not uniform across the Service and that some APS employees are much more likely to deal with ministerial offices on certain matters than others.

Generally, confidence is quite high about upholding the Values, and relationships with Ministers and their offices would appear to be close and based on trust. It is important nonetheless that agencies ensure that all their employees likely to come into contact with Ministers or their advisers have the capacity to manage the challenges that inevitably arise on occasion, and that they have available ready and reliable support from those around them.

This year’s employee survey confirms last year’s result that about a third of those employees who come into contact with ministerial offices face a challenge in balancing the relevant APS Values. While each agency and its employees will have particular operating circumstances and types of challenges, they should draw on the Commission’s APS Values and Code of Conduct in Practice: Guide to official conduct for APS employees and Agency Heads issued last year for assistance. Agencies should also find useful the Commission’s planned good practice guide designed to assist agency management in the development and promulgation of appropriate agency-based protocols and guidance for employees likely to interact with ministerial offices.

The record keeping capability of the APS seems now to be improving, including in relation to interactions with ministerial offices, as agencies place a higher priority on record keeping systems, protocols, awareness and training. However, not all employees are aware of record keeping training available.