A bill to amend the Public Service Act 1999, part of the federal government’s plan to reform the Australian Public Service (APS), has passed the Senate.
The Public Service Amendment Bill 2023 adds stewardship as a new APS value; makes it clear that ministers cannot direct agency heads on individual APS staffing decisions; requires regular capability reviews; to improve transparency, requires agencies to publish their APS employee census results, with action plans to respond; and commissions regular long-term insight reports to help grapple with long-term strategic policy challenges, Senator Katy Gallagher, Minister for the Public Service, said.
The Bill was introduced last year, and is a response to the 2019 Independent Review of the Australian Public Service (the Thodey Review). It includes a new Australian Public Service Value of ‘Stewardship’; requires the Secretaries Board to prepare an APS Purpose Statement; requires agency heads to uphold and promote the APS Purpose Statement; provides that ministers must not direct agency heads on individual employment matters; requires agency heads to put in place measures to enable decision-making to occur at the lowest appropriate classification; requires regular capability reviews; requires the Secretaries Board to request and publish regular long-term insights reports; requires agencies to publish annual APS Employee Census results and to respond to relevant findings through an action plan; and removes the requirement to seek the APS Commissioner’s consent to delegate powers and functions to Australian Defence Force members.
Senator Gallagher claimed the previous Coalition Government had gutted the public service, eroded capability, and ran a shadow workforce of consultants and contractors.
“The Liberal/National Government’s damaging policies chipped away at the capabilities and the independence of the APS,” the minister said.
“They systematically dismantled the public service for the best part of a decade. Now Labor is rebuilding the APS because we fundamentally believe in a strong public service that provides frank and fearless advice to Government.
“The need for ambitious APS reform is clear, and we need reforms that will endure. That’s why we’re locking in these important changes in legislation.
“We want to restore the public’s trust and faith in Government and this vital institution.”
The next phase of APS reform will require the Prime Minister and Cabinet Secretary and the APS Commissioner to conduct merit-based appointments processes for Secretary roles to ensure the advice provided to the Prime Minister on candidates is rigorous.
Financial counselling supports
To strengthen support for Australians experiencing financial hardship, the federal government will boost funding for financial counselling services, including targeted support for communities affected by natural disasters.
The $2.93 million funding package announced today includes $1.85 million of additional funding across all Commonwealth funded National Debt Helpline providers, who provide free financial counselling over the phone or via online chat support, including advice and referrals for Australians experiencing financial difficulties or debt.
“Already in 2024, the National Debt Helpline has received over 50,000 calls seeking advice and support,” Amanda Rishworth MP, Minister for Social Services, said. “The National Debt Helpline is often someone’s first point of contact to seek support, and we want to ensure timely support for people in need.”
A further $435,000 will be provided to key financial counselling service providers supporting flood-affected communities in Lismore and Central West New South Wales. Ms Rishworth said this recognises “the continuing financial challenges that people in these communities are experiencing as they work through the difficult process of rebuilding and recovery”.
This is part of the additional $138 million the Government provided in the Budget to the Financial Wellbeing and Capability (FWC) Activity, including $7.8 million in the 2023-24 financial year to strengthen support for Australians experiencing financial hardship.
The funding package includes an additional $645,000 for Financial Counselling Australia to increase awareness of the National Dept Helpline, co-ordinate the financial counselling services sector, and ensure targeted supports are where they are needed most in the wake of natural disasters.
“Increasing promotion of the Helpline’s services will strengthen early intervention support for people experiencing financial stress,” Ms Rishworth said.
“We are ensuring that all Australians doing it tough know what support is available to them, and can access it when and where they need it.”
Financial Counselling Australia co-chief executives Domenique Meyrick and Peter Gartlan said the work of financial counsellors was vital, and welcomed the funding boost.
“There are people out there who are struggling and not aware that free and independent financial counselling exists,” Dr Meyrick said. “This funding will help us to let people know that support is available to them through the National Debt Helpline. It will also help the National Debt Helpline to better meet existing and future demand.”
“Recognition of the work of financial counsellors supporting people impacted by disasters in the Northern Rivers and Central West of New South Wales is very welcome,” Mr Gartlan said. “Disaster work has a long tail, and this funding underscores the vital role our sector plays. We’re very grateful for funding to enable us to provide training, coordination and data to those parts of the country recovering from, and preparing for disasters.”
The additional funding is on top of the more than $120 million already provided annually for FWC services, including emergency relief and food relief, financial counselling and support to strengthen individuals’ financial resilience.
People experiencing financial hardship can access free financial counselling services through the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 or at ndh.org.au, where they can also chat online with a financial counsellor via the website.
