APS Inc: undermining public sector capability and performance

November 2021

© Commonwealth of Australia 2021
ISBN: 978-1-76093-303-6

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Members

Abbreviations

List of Recommendations

Executive Summary

  Privatisation and externalisation
  'Frank and fearless' undermined
  Recommendations

Chapter 1—Introduction

  Referral
  Conduct of the inquiry
  Acknowledgment
  Content and structure of report

Chapter 2—Background

  Role of the APS
  Independent Review of the APS
  APS reform agenda
  Public expectations of the APS
  External observations on the current capability of the APS
  Committee view

Chapter 3—Labour hire

  Privatisation by stealth
  Impact of the ASL cap
  What is the scale of labour hire within the APS?
  The impact of labour hire
  Impact on service quality
  Case study: Department of Veterans' Affairs
  Committee view

Chapter 4—Digital capability

  Accelerating the digital transformation
  The need for strategic and significant investment in ICT
  Digital and ICT workforce
  Concerns with ICT procurement
  Committee views

Chapter 5—Consultants

  Use of consultants
  Committee view

Chapter 6—Procurement capability

  Committee view

Chapter 7—Creating a workforce for the future

  A 'whole-of-service' approach
  Workplace bargaining policy
  Inconsistent pay and conditions across the APS
  Classifications and hierarchy
  Mobility within the APS
  Building and upskilling a diverse workforce
  Committee views

Chapter 8—Culture and final observations

  Politicisation creep
  Committee view
  Final observations

Dissenting report from Coalition Senators

Additional comments by the Australian Greens

  Consultancies
  Removing restrictions on public servants
  Gender pay gap
  Supporting inclusivity through employment and procurement policies

Appendix 1—Government response to the recommendations of the Independent Review of the APS

Appendix 2—Case study: National Disability Insurance Agency and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguards Commission

Appendix 3—Core principles for the APS

Appendix 4—Submissions and additional information received by the committee

Appendix 5—Public hearings

Committee Secretariat contact:

Senate Finance and Public Administration Committees
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600

Phone: +61 2 6277 3846
fpa.sen@aph.gov.au