The Honourable John Howard MP
Prime Minister
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Dear Prime Minister

In accordance with the provisions of section 44 of the Public Service Act 1999, I present to you the annual report of the state of the Australian Public Service for the year 2003-04.

This State of the Service report incorporates the annual report of workplace diversity in the APS. The APS Commission will be separately publishing supporting statistical documents, the State of the Service Employee Survey Results 2003—04 and the Australian Public Service Statistical Bulletin 2003—04.

The Joint Committee of the Public Accounts and Audit and the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet agreed to extend the tabling deadline of the State of the Service report to one calendar month after the tabling date for agencies’ annual reports.

Section 34C of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 requires that you lay a copy of the Report before each House of Parliament within 15 sitting days after the day on which you receive the Report.

Yours sincerely

A S Podger
5 November 2004