FOR PRESS 6 OCTOBER 1977
AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC SERVICE INTERCHANGE PROGRAMME
The Public Service Board has introduced an Interchange Programme aimed at fostering mobility in the Public Service through arrangements such as secondments and exchanges. This follows the Board's introduction late last year of an Executive Development Scheme through which some twenty officers have been placed in work assignments in other departments, public services and the private sector.
The introduction of the Interchange Programme by the Board is in line with the views of the Royal Commission on Australian Government Administration. The Programme will involve exchanges, secondments and transfers of staff between the public and private sectors and between departments within the Australian Public Service.
To support the Programme the Chairman of the Board is meeting with various leaders in the community to promote exchanges and discuss possible placements.
The Government is actively supporting the Board in its fostering of staff exchanges believing that they are an important way of increasing mutual understanding and communication between different organisations allowing a sharing of expertise throughout the community and of contributing to the career development of those involved.
The introduction of the Interchange Programme is an important, positive and valuable step in improving understanding and extending communications between the sectors of Australian society.