PM Transcripts

Transcripts from the Prime Ministers of Australia

Keating, Paul

Period of Service: 20/12/1991 - 11/03/1996
Find more information on Keating, Paul on the:
Release Date:
20/10/1994
Release Type:
Media Release
Transcript ID:
9386
Document:
00009386.pdf 1 Page(s)
Released by:
  • Keating, Paul John
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP REPORT ON ONGOING REFORM IN THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SERVICE

TEL PRIME MINISTER
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER, THE HON P J KEATING MP
REPORT ON ONGOING REFORM IN THE A US TRALIA N PUBLIC SERVICE
I am very pleased to welcome the Report of the Australian Public Service
Management Advisory Board ( MAB) on ' Ongoing Reform in the Australian Public
Service', tabled in Parliament today ( Thursday).
The Report is the first of its kind by MAB a body which advises the Government,
through the Prime Minister, on significant issues in the management of the
Australian Public Service.
The Report highlights, in particular, the role of the public service in advancing
Government initiatives in the past 12-18 months, including the development and
preparation of the Discussion Paper, Restoring Full Employment, and the
Government's White Paper, Working Nation, the implementation of the
Government's decision to re-focus industry policy through the establishment of
AusIndustry, and the development of measures in health policy to improve the
responsiveness of the private health insurance sector.
I am especially pleased that the Report notes improved levels of service to clients
by the public service, as seen for example, in recent refinements to the
Department of Social Security's claims processing and the Australian Taxation
Office's new Electronic Lodgement Service for taxation returns.
The Report concludes that, while the APS has made good progress in focussing
on results arising mainly from public sector reforms over the past decade there
remains scope for further development in some areas.
Among the main challenges ahead are the promotion of public service values,
particularly the importance of ethical conduct, the continuing evolution of a more
flexible public management framework, and adaptation to social, technological
and demographic change.
I would like to thank the members of the Management Advisory Board for their
Report. It demonstrates that the Australian Public Service is an institution which
has an important and valuable role in serving the interests of all Australians.
CAN BERRA
October 1994 TL: 20.-Oct .94 17: 05 NOo011R '. U01G

9386