Too limited on accountability
Critics argued the bill improved values and structures but did not go far enough on hard accountability measures, especially protections and support for public servants who speak up about wrongdoing.
Public Service Amendment
Current status
This bill became law on Jun 11th, 2024.
Policy area
Government & democracy
What does this bill do?
The Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. now has a new stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind. value, so public servants are expected to build expertise and think about how their decisions affect Australia over time.
Why was it introduced?
The 2019 Thodey ReviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence. found the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. had eroded capability and needed stronger values, accountability and protection from ministerial involvement in individual staffing decisions. The bill adds stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind., regular capability reviews and more transparency, and makes that bar on ministerial direction explicit.
Broader context
The Public Service Act already set the rules for the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work., but the 2019 Thodey ReviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence. found the service had become too inward-looking, lost capability in key areas and needed stronger safeguards for independence and long-term stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind.. The Albanese government responded by introducing the Public Service Amendment Bill in 2023 to hardwire those reforms into law. Parliament passed the bill in May 2024, Royal AssentThe final approval step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. followed in June 2024, and the Act commenced after its deferred commencement process rather than on assent day.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill made worthy but mostly symbolic APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. changes without stronger accountability and whistleblower protections, and some argued it was moving before lessons from robodebt were fully absorbed. These objections were limited rather than broad: the Coalition mostly sought committee scrutiny and improvements, while independents such as Kate Chaney and David Pocock pressed the sharper concerns.
Who supported it?
Hon Patrick Gorman MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Introduced in House 14 June 2023
Passed House 01 Aug 2023
Passed Senate 16 May 2024
Became law 11 June 2024
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 11 June 2024
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
4 recorded amendment or procedural votes were found, but no counted vote on the bill itself was recorded.
Passage speed
363 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
What does this bill do?
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The Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. now has a new stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind. value, so public servants are expected to build expertise and think about how their decisions affect Australia over time.
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Ministers are now plainly barred from directing agency heads on individual public service employment decisions, which strengthens the independence of the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work..
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Agency heads must set up workplaces where decisions are made by the lowest suitable level of staff, to cut unnecessary escalation and back staff to use their judgement.
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Federal departments, Services AustraliaA federal agency that delivers many government services to the public and is one of the bodies covered by the new capability review rules., the Australian Taxation OfficeThe federal tax agency, which is also covered by the new regular capability review requirement. and the Australian Public Service CommissionThe central APS agency that supports public service standards and gets a special role in requiring capability reviews. must face regular capability reviews, and the reports and agency responses are generally made public unless national security-type risks apply.
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Agencies must publish their staff census results and an action plan responding to them, but they must remove material that could identify a person and can withhold material in some sensitive cases.
Show source excerpts
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(6) The APS builds its capability and institutional knowledge, and supports the public interest now and into the future, by understanding the long‑term impacts of what it does.
Public Service Amendment Act 2024 final Act text -
The purpose of this amendment is to reaffirm the apolitical role of the APS by making it explicit that Ministers cannot direct Agency Heads on employment matters. Creating clear limits on Ministerial involvement in APS employment matters is critical to ensuring integrity in the exercise of Agency Head powers. This amendment is intended to ensure that if, for example, an Agency Head selects a candidate for engagement following a merit based process, a Minister must not direct that Agency Head to engage another individual in place of the preferred candidate.
Public Service Amendment explanatory memorandum -
Proposed new section 19A introduces a requirement on Agency Heads to implement measures that create a work environment that enables decision-making to be undertaken at the lowest appropriate classification. The proposal responds to recommendation 32 of the Thodey Review which called for the APS to adopt best-practice ways of working and improving decision-making, by ensuring Agency Heads empower APS employees to make decisions appropriate to their classification. The Thodey Review noted a growing tendency for decisions involving risk to be escalated to the top of the hierarchy. This proposal seeks to ensure that decision-making is not raised to a higher level than necessary, improving decision-making processes to reduce duplication of work, empower staff, and foster professional development.
Public Service Amendment explanatory memorandum -
enshrining regular capability reviews.The APS Commissioner will be provided with the power to require a capability review to be undertaken of each Department, Services Australia and the Australian Taxation Office at least once every five years. The Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet will be provided with an equivalent power to require a capability review of the Australian Public Service Commission. The reviews will be future-focused and will be published alongside agency responses, with limited exceptions, including for national security reasons.
Public Service Amendment explanatory memorandum -
Item 12 of Schedule 1 positively engages with the right to privacy and provides appropriate safeguards. Prior to publishing, the information collected through the APS Employee Census will be aggregated and published at a whole-of-Agency level. The Bill provides that an Agency Head must remove any material that is likely to enable the identification of an individual from Census results and/or from action plans. The Bill also allows the APS Commissioner to exempt an Agency Head from publishing the APS Employee Census results and/or action plan, in whole or in part by removal of specified material. This provides greater flexibility in instances where results could still identify an individual even when published at an Agency level (for example, in small agencies). This provides an appropriate balance between providing greater accountability and transparency and protecting an individual’s right to privacy. There are similar exceptions available where publication of an agency’s results would identify sensitive information that could be exploited against the national interest if published.
Public Service Amendment explanatory memorandum
Context
Broader context for this bill
The Public Service Act already set the rules for the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work., but the 2019 Thodey ReviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence. found the service had become too inward-looking, lost capability in key areas and needed stronger safeguards for independence and long-term stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind.. The Albanese government responded by introducing the Public Service Amendment Bill in 2023 to hardwire those reforms into law. Parliament passed the bill in May 2024, Royal AssentThe final approval step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. followed in June 2024, and the Act commenced after its deferred commencement process rather than on assent day.
- 2019
Thodey ReviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence. finds the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. has lost capability and needs reform
The independent review concluded the public service needed stronger purpose, capability, stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind. and protections for frank, apolitical advice.
Why introduced ↗ - 14 June 2023
Government introduces the bill as part of its APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reform agenda
The second reading speech said the bill was a key part of the Albanese government’s plan to rebuild the public service and deliver lasting structural change.
Hansard ↗ - 20 June 2023
Parliamentary debate links the bill to weakened capability and independence
Speakers said the bill responded to the Thodey ReviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence.’s findings that the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. was not functioning as it should and needed stronger reform.
Hansard ↗ - 28 May 2024
Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed on the final text, clearing the way for the Thodey-inspired changes on stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind., transparency and employment independence to become law.
Parliamentary timeline ↗ - 11 June 2024
Royal AssentThe final approval step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. turns the bill into an Act
Royal AssentThe final approval step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act. made the bill an Act, but the substantive amendments had deferred commencement: they were to start by Proclamation or, failing that, after the six-month fallback period.
Parliamentary timeline ↗
Legislative route
How did it move through Parliament?
House Senate
Introduced 14 June 2023
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second reading opened 14 June 2023
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Second reading debate 20 June 2023
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Scrutiny of Bills review 21 June 2023
Considered by scrutiny committee (21/06/2023): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 8 of 2023
Considered by scrutiny committee
APH bill page notesSecond reading debate 22 June 2023
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Commitee report (30/08/2023) review 22 June 2023
Referred to Committee (22/06/2023): Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Commitee report (30/08/2023)
Referred to committee
APH bill page notesSecond reading debate 31 July 2023
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate 01 Aug 2023
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House second reading agreed 01 Aug 2023
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
Consideration in detail 01 Aug 2023
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
Consideration in detail debate
House third reading agreed 01 Aug 2023
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber. Later message exchanges with the other chamber were still recorded afterwards.
Third reading agreed to
Introduced 02 Aug 2023
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
Second reading opened 02 Aug 2023
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
Senate second reading agreed 16 May 2024
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
Senate agreed to amendment packages 16 May 2024
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
Third reading agreed to :
House agreed to Senate amendments on Senate review 28 May 2024
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form. The main amendments were: Observed text changed from "(11) Despite paragraph (4)(d), a person who causes a capability reviewA formal check of whether an agency has the skills, systems and capacity it needs to do its job well. into an Agency to be undertaken under subsection…" to "Report to be tabled (8A) Subject to subsections (8B) and (8C), the Public Service Minister must cause a copy of a repor…".
Consideration of Senate message
Passed both houses 28 May 2024
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
Assent 11 June 2024
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final approval step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main case against this bill
The main criticism was that the bill made worthy but mostly symbolic APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. changes without stronger accountability and whistleblower protections, and some argued it was moving before lessons from robodebt were fully absorbed. These objections were limited rather than broad: the Coalition mostly sought committee scrutiny and improvements, while independents such as Kate Chaney and David Pocock pressed the sharper concerns.
Criticism was real but narrow; no party represented in the debate mounted broad opposition to APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reform itself.
Premature and too rhetorical
Some critics said APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reform was needed but this bill should not proceed in its current form because it was too rhetorical and should wait for the robodebt royal commission report before further action.
Needed more scrutiny and clearer accountability settings
The Coalition said it broadly backed many parts of the bill but wanted a Senate inquiry and further work on the public service's core purpose and accountability arrangements before fully committing.
Further sources
Votes
Recorded votes
How the bill itself passed
The bill passed both chambers on the voices. The counted divisions below were about amendments or procedure, not final passage.
Passed House passed the bill
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed
House passed the bill
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Passed Senate passed the bill
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed
Senate passed the bill
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Amendments at a glance
Amendments grouped by chamber. These cards include amendment outcomes recorded without a counted division.
House
Defeated Delay changes until reviews acted on
Defeated 12 to 53. Support came from Greens. Opposition came from Labor, Nationals, and Liberal Party. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated
Delay changes until reviews acted on
If carried, this would have added a second-reading statement pressing the government to complete related integrity and appointments reviews before advancing the bill. The amendment was defeated.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 42
Unknown 5 / 6
Independent 6 / 1
Nationals 0 / 3
Greens 1 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 1
Defeated Promote diversity in APS hiring
Defeated 14 to 52. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor and Nationals. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated
Promote diversity in APS hiring
The amendment would have made the Public Service Act place clearer emphasis on diversity in the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work.. The House defeated it.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 44
Unknown 5 / 7
Independent 8 / 0
Greens 1 / 0
Nationals 0 / 1
Defeated Tighten appointment transparency rules
Defeated 14 to 50. Support came from Greens and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor. Minor-party and independent votes were split.
Defeated
Tighten appointment transparency rules
The amendment would have pushed the bill toward clearer, more open appointment processes and less scope for perceived 'jobs for mates' decisions. The House defeated it.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 43
Unknown 5 / 7
Independent 8 / 0
Greens 1 / 0
Carried House accepted all Senate amendments
The House agreed to the amendments made by the Senate, so the bill could pass both chambers in the same form.
Carried
House accepted all Senate amendments
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Senate
Defeated Call for stronger whistleblower protections
Defeated 14 to 34. Support came from Greens, One Nation, and minor parties and independents. Opposition came from Labor, Liberal Party, Nationals, UAP, and minor parties and independents.
Defeated
Call for stronger whistleblower protections
If carried, this would have attached a statement to the second reading urging earlier reform of whistleblower protections and new enforcement support. The amendment was defeated and the bill then passed its second reading.
Party Aye / No
Labor 0 / 17
Greens 11 / 0
Liberal Party 0 / 9
Unknown 0 / 4
Nationals 0 / 3
Independent 2 / 0
One Nation 1 / 0
UAP 0 / 1
Carried Pass APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reform amendment package
The Senate agreed on voices to 10 government amendments, including changes that removed the introduced APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. purpose statement provisions and adjusted capability reviewA formal check of whether an agency has the skills, systems and capacity it needs to do its job well. reporting.
Carried
Pass APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reform amendment package
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Defeated Respect rights and heritage in the public service
The Senate rejected Senator Thorpe's proposal on voices. It would have changed the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. values to say the public service respects all people, including their rights, heritage and international human rights obligations.
Defeated
Respect rights and heritage in the public service
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Defeated Make human rights part of APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. decisions
The Senate rejected Senator Thorpe's proposal on voices. It would have required the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. to make decisions and give advice consistently with human rights and actively implement, promote and support them.
Defeated
Make human rights part of APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. decisions
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Carried Pass government amendment package
The Senate agreed on voices to government amendments, including changes to remove the introduced APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. purpose statement provisions and adjust capability reviewA formal check of whether an agency has the skills, systems and capacity it needs to do its job well. reporting.
Carried
Pass government amendment package
Carried on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
Defeated Respect rights and heritage in the public service
The Senate rejected the package on voices. Taken together, the matched sheets would have changed APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. values to recognise people's rights, heritage and human rights, and to require APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. decisions and advice to align with human rights.
Defeated
Respect rights and heritage in the public service
Defeated on voices
The chamber decided this amendment without a counted division, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes.
These are amendment votes, not the final passage vote on the bill itself. The bill passed both chambers on the voices.
The parliamentary record also shows 10 Government amendments agreed without a counted division.
Parliamentary debate
Who spoke, and what they said
Start here — lead voices
Sponsor speech Supports
Patrick Gorman
Gorman strongly supports the bill, saying it will embed APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reform in law by strengthening stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind., creating a shared purpose statement, and limiting ministerial direction over individual staffing decisions.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead opposing voice Opposes
Kate Chaney
Chaney opposes giving the bill a second reading now.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead supporting voice Supports
Michael McCormack
McCormack supports the bill and says its Public Service changes are important and noncontroversial, including new stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind. duties, clearer rules on ministerial direction, and updated reporting requirements.
Read in Hansard ↗ Lead non-major voice Opposes
Monique Ryan
Ryan opposes the bill because she says it is too small and uninspired to deliver the deeper public service reform she wants.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
Labor
33 speakers · 33 support
Labor
33 speakers · 33 support
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Matt Burnell Matt Burnell supports the bill and says it is needed to strengthen the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work., restore trust, and improve integrity, capability and service delivery.
“I commend the bill to the House and hope that I can count on the support of all members, even the member for Riverina, as we work together to strengthen the integrity of our public institutions and the confidence that the public have in their ability to serve them diligently, faithfully and effectively.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Julian Hill Julian Hill supports the bill and says it will help rebuild the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. by adding stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind. as a new APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. value.
“This bill responds to the independent review of the APS led by Mr David Thodey, the former CEO of Telstra. It was commissioned by the former Liberal government. It was nice to hear that they now say they support it, because they wouldn't implement it. Prime Minister Turnbull commissioned it. Then they got the report, and Prime Minister Morrison went 'Well, we're not doing that; the Public Service is here to shut up and do what they're told.' That is basically what he said to them.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Sam Rae Sam Rae supports the bill because he says it will rebuild the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work., strengthen transparency and accountability, and improve the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work.'s capability and independence.
“That's why I'm speaking in support of this bill today, because it's something that we need to get on with urgently. It's imperative that we enshrine greater transparency and accountability in our system of government.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Kate Thwaites Thwaites supports the bill, saying it restores trust in the Public Service, strengthens APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. values and capability, and gives public servants clearer structures and more transparency.
“This bill goes a long way to restoring the Public Service to the position it should hold. It shows all those members of the Public Service in our country that, as a government, we value them and we value the work they do. We are investing in that work. We are investing in the capability of a modern, fit-for-purpose Public Service. I commend this bill to the House.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Fiona Phillips Phillips supports the bill, saying it will strengthen the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work.’s purpose, values, capability and transparency and help restore trust in government.
“I rise today to speak in support of the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023, which will amend the Public Service Act 1989 to deliver enduring transformational change and ensure the Public Service is well-placed to serve the Australian government, the parliament and the Australian public into the future.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Peter Khalil Peter Khalil supports the bill because he says it will reform and rebuild the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work., strengthen its core purpose and values, and reduce political interference and overreliance on consultants.
“The Public Service Amendment Bill 2023 is a key part of the Albanese government's APS reform agenda. It's an agenda that acknowledges the need for ambitious reform of the APS. That's why today I'm speaking in support of this bill, because I believe we do need to reform and rebuild the APS. These reforms are being introduced to help us start that process. This will help us reform and improve our Public Service after years of neglect and years of diminishment under the previous government. It will help us, of course, increase the numbers of the Australian Public Service, but that is just one part of it. It will help us build trust in government and the Public Service and the work that they do.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Brian Mitchell Brian Mitchell supports the bill, saying it is an important part of rebuilding and reforming the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. by giving it a clearer shared purpose, stronger values, and better protection from politicisation.
“The Public Service Amendment Bill before us represents a significant milestone in the Albanese government's plan to rebuild and reform the APS. It seeks to restore public trust and faith in our government and government institutions. One of the primary objectives is to establish a clear and unified purpose for the APS.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Louise Miller-Frost Miller-Frost supports the bill, saying it will rebuild the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. by strengthening integrity, accountability and capability while implementing Thodey reviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence. reforms.
“Today I rise in support of the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023, which will amend the previous act of 1999. The Albanese government is delivering accountability and integrity in our institutions by taking the next steps in rebuilding the Australian Public Service. This bill is all about restoring the public's trust and faith in government as well as the multitude of government services the APS provides. It is an important part of the Albanese government's broader APS reform agenda, which is reinvesting in and valuing what is the APS's most valuable resource—its people.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Patrick Gorman ★ Gorman strongly supports the bill, saying it will embed APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reform in law by strengthening stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind., creating a shared purpose statement, and limiting ministerial direction over individual staffing decisions.
“For these reasons, the Albanese government is introducing amendments to the Public Service Act to embed reform in the legislation that guides and governs the Public Service.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Josh Wilson Josh Wilson says Labor will support the bill because it strengthens the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. by implementing the Thodey reviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence., improving transparency and capability, and protecting its apolitical independence after years of underfunding and damage under the coalition.
“I'm glad to speak in support of the changes in the Public Service Amendment Bill that strengthen the incredible and vital public good that is the Australian Public Service. If you set out to write a list of the key components that make Australia a place and a community that is functional and fair, that is capable and considerate, and that rises to new and often difficult challenges like climate change, natural disasters and a global pandemic, the Australian Public Service would be right at the very top of that shortlist. It's an extension of our system of democratic government and it's the enabling force that implements the decisions we make as a community.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Daniel Mulino Daniel Mulino supports the bill, saying it will strengthen the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. by adding stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind., a purpose statement and a capability reviewA formal check of whether an agency has the skills, systems and capacity it needs to do its job well. so the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. can meet long-term national challenges.
“I believe that that is actually a fair representation of where we stand now. I don't believe the APS is broken, but I do believe that, given the complex, long-term and dynamic nature of some of the challenges that our community is are facing, we need to strengthen the APS, and that's where some of these changes come in.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Andrew Leigh Andrew Leigh supports the bill, saying it will restore trust in the public service by strengthening integrity, stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind., capability reviews and transparency.
“A 'what works' philosophy isn't ideological; it's practical. It is about ensuring that the Australian Public Service works for all Australians. Through this in-house consulting model, and through improving the quality of evaluation right across agencies, we are able to do a better job of ensuring that Australians' tax dollars are spent as effectively as possible and that government has the maximum impact on improving the lives of every day Australians. I commend the bill to the House.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Murray Watt Watt supports the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023The bill that changed the Public Service Act to add new APS values, reviews and transparency rules. and presents it as a key part of the Albanese Government's APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reform agenda.
“At its heart, this bill and the Albanese Government's broader APS Reform agenda is about restoring the public's trust and faith in government and its institutions.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Alicia Payne Alicia Payne supports the bill and says it is an important step in the Albanese government's public service reform agenda.
“As I said, this bill is an important part of a broader agenda for reforming the APS and part of that is a sign that our government takes its role seriously and respects the people that work within the Australian Public Service. I am very proud to be part of a government that does this. It is critically important. Public servants do the work that perhaps is not seen every day but that impacts the things that each and every Australian benefits from every day, like keeping us safe, delivering services, providing the advice that creates the policies that will benefit all Australians, even our interactions with other countries around the world, our security, our defence. Public servants play an incredibly important role each and every day, and I take this opportunity to again thank them for all that they do. I again thank all the public servants, particularly in this building, that support the parliament to run every day. I commend the bill to the House.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Susan Templeman Templeman supports the bill and says it will deliver enduring change to strengthen the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. for the future.
“I think about the tax office and the myriad public servants that we are privileged to have living in the electorate of Macquarie, and I take my hat off to the work they do. I also say to the union that supports them, the CPSU, that the work they do elevates the issues, brings to light the things that are not working and makes systems better for their workers and also for the wider community. That's why I am very pleased to be speaking in support of the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023, which will amend the Public Service Act 1999 to deliver enduring, transformational change and to ensure that the Australian Public Service is well placed to serve the Australian government, the parliament and, very importantly, the Australian public into the future.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
David Smith Smith supports the bill, saying it is an important first step to rebuild the capability, professionalism and apolitical character of the Public Service after years of neglect.
“I commend this bill to the House, and I call on all members of this place to support it.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Luke Gosling Luke Gosling supports the bill because he says it delivers key APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reform measures from the Thodey reviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence., strengthens integrity and accountability, and builds the Public Service's capability and trust.
“This bill supports each of these priorities. At its heart, this bill and the Albanese government's broader APS reform agenda is about restoring the public's trust in our Public Service, in government and in our institutions.”
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Michelle Ananda-Rajah Michelle Ananda-Rajah supports the bill and says it will rebuild the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. by adding stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind., purpose, stronger capability, and protections against ministerial interference.
“In conclusion, we are facing a multitude of challenges—environmental, health and economic. These problems are certainly complex, and they need a harnessing of ideas to allow these ideas to bubble up to the surface from all quarters—community, government, the business sector, industry and our APS. The solutions require a shift away from short-termism towards generational investment. For that, we need to ensure we have a mechanism that rewards and retains our most talented minds to serve the nation. I commend this bill to the House.”
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Joanne Ryan Ryan strongly supports the bill, saying it will restore trust in the public service by strengthening its core purpose, values and capability.
“The reforms in this bill will strengthen the APS's core purpose and values, build capability and expertise, and support good governance, accountability and transparency. To strengthen the APS's core values and purpose, it's going to develop a purpose statement. It's going to introduce stewardship as a new value, but, more importantly, it's going to establish a purpose statement.”
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Sharon Claydon Sharon Claydon supports the bill and says it is part of Labor's wider Public Service reform agenda to restore trust, improve accountability and transparency, and rebuild APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. capability.
“The reforms in the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023 will help strengthen the Australian Public Service's core purpose and values. They will help build the capability and the expertise again within the Australian Public Service and support good governance, accountability and transparency.”
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Lisa Chesters Chesters supports the bill and says it will restore and strengthen the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. by adding stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind., clarifying its purpose, and protecting its independence from political interference.
“I rise to speak in favour of the bill that's before us, the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023.”
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Meryl Swanson Meryl Swanson supports the bill, saying it will strengthen trust, accountability and capability in the Public Service by embedding APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. reforms and clearer values into law.
“I commend this bill to the House. I look forward to these changes being implemented, but, more than that, I look forward to the changes that we so desperately need to see and that will come as a result of them so that we have that stellar Public Service. The changes that come from that and make Australia an even better place to live will be there for everyone to see and everyone to experience. I commend the bill to the House.”
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Zaneta Mascarenhas Mascarenhas supports the bill, saying it is a significant step in reforming the public service and building a future-fit APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. with stronger capability, stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind. and accountability.
“The Public Service Amendment Bill 2023 represents a significant step in implementing reforms recommended by the Thodey review to transform the Australian Public Service. It aims to create a future-fit, responsive and trusted APS that gives frank and fearless advice and serves the government, the parliament and, most importantly, the Australian public.”
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Steve Georganas Steve Georganas supports the bill and says it is part of rebuilding the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. by strengthening its core purposes, values, capability and transparency.
“This bill will strengthen the APS core purposes and values and build the capabilities and expertise of the Australian Public Service and support good governance, accountability and transparency.”
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Shayne Neumann Shayne Neumann supports the bill and says it is crucial to rebuild and reform the Public Service after a decade of neglect and outsourcing under the former government.
“They kicked the can down the road for another government to deal with the cost of delay. We can't let this go on. That's why this legislation before the chamber is so important. I support it. I think it is absolutely crucial that we engage in Public Service reform. This is about the integrity, honesty and transparency of government. I support the legislation. I think it is absolutely crucial for the benefit of the Australian public.”
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Cassandra Fernando Fernando समर्थन करती हैं the bill, saying it will strengthen the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. through stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind., clearer purpose, more transparency and better capability.
“I would lastly like to thank all the APS employees in Australia, a huge thank you, for all the hard work that you do, and I commend this bill to the House.”
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Tania Lawrence Tania Lawrence supports the bill and says it is the right direction to strengthen and better resource the Commonwealth Public Service.
“This bill will add a new value of stewardship, reminding public servants, politicians and all who deal with them that the APS serves the people now and for the future. It will require the development of a unifying purpose statement, clarify the relationship between ministers and agency heads to reaffirm the apolitical nature of their positions, and install regular capability reviews and medium- and long-term insight reports. It will require publishing of APS employee census results and action that will then follow. It will empower employees and reduce the bureaucracy.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
Matt Thistlethwaite Thistlethwaite supports the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023The bill that changed the Public Service Act to add new APS values, reviews and transparency rules., saying it implements key Thodey reviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence. recommendations to make the APSThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. more impartial, capable and transparent.
“This bill delivers on several of the important recommendations that were made through the Thodey review. It recognises that the case for reform has only strengthened in recent years.”
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Josh Burns Burns supports the bill, saying it is needed to rebuild the integrity, professionalism and central role of the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. after years of decline and politicisation under the previous government.
“By introducing this bill, the government is taking the necessary steps to rebuild the integrity, the professionalism and the central role in government of the Australian Public Service. The bill is about restoring the public's trust and faith in government and its institutions, and it's also about restoring the Public Service's faith in itself. The bill will strengthen the Public Service's core purpose and values, build its capacity—”
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Libby Coker Libby Coker supports the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023The bill that changed the Public Service Act to add new APS values, reviews and transparency rules., saying it is a vital part of the Albanese government's public service reform agenda.
“That's why I rise today to support the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023, which aims to make crucial amendments to the Public Service Act 1999 and forms a vital component of the Albanese government's ABS reform agenda.”
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Graham Perrett Perrett supports the bill and says it is part of Labor's plan to rebuild the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. after a decade of politicisation, neglect and poor accountability under the Coalition.
“The Public Service lost the trust of the Australian people. How about the public servants who knew that the former Prime Minister had five secret ministries and didn't think to tell the nation? Can you believe we have that as a political fact that we now accept? How low those opposite dragged our democracy—right down into the gutter. This is why change is needed. Just like almost every area of government, it's up to the Albanese Labor government to clean up the mess of a decade—a decade of wasted opportunity and dreadful mismanagement.”
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Tracey Roberts Tracey Roberts supports the bill and says it will strengthen the Australian Public ServiceThe national public service that employs federal government staff and runs day to day government work. by improving its purpose, capability, accountability and transparency.
“We acknowledge the dedication and the commitment of all those who work in the Australian Public Service. They deserve an agile and responsive system, one that will enable them to support others. They deserve a strong, robust framework of support as they continue to work in our cities, in our towns and in our regions right around Australia. It is on this basis that I commend the bill to the House.”
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Anne Stanley Stanley supports the bill, saying it will strengthen the Public Service’s purpose, capability and independence and help restore trust in government.
“It is for those reasons that the Albanese government is delivering on several of the recommendations in the Thodey review for this bill, delivering on the amendments to the Public Service Act so that reform is embedded in the legislation that guides and governs our public service. I also want to take a moment to personally thank all the public services that work to support our community in Werriwa and around Australia in whatever capacity they do. I want to note how much your work is appreciated and how much it is needed to improve how we live and how we interact with each other. I commend the bill to the House.”
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Coalition
3 speakers · 2 support · 1 mixed
Coalition
3 speakers · 2 support · 1 mixed
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Michael McCormack ★ McCormack supports the bill and says its Public Service changes are important and noncontroversial, including new stewardshipA new APS value on this page that means public servants should protect the service's long term capability and act with the future in mind. duties, clearer rules on ministerial direction, and updated reporting requirements.
“I digress and I don't want to play down the importance of the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023. There are some things it does which are certainly very important. Noncontroversial, as we would argue, it creates a new APS value of stewardship. It creates a requirement for an Australian Public Service purpose statement to be developed by the Secretaries Board. It clarifies the operation of section 19 of the Public Service Act to provide that ministers must not direct agency heads on individual employment matters for the Australian Public Service. It requires agency heads to implement measures to create a work environment that enables decisions to be made by APS employees at the lowest appropriate classification. It provides a mechanism for the APS Commissioner to, at any time, cause the capability review of an agency other than the Australian Public Service Commission. I say this because I don't want somebody to stand up and say 'he is not being relevant'. I will continue so we can prevent that. It requires the Secretaries Board to request and publish regular long-term insights reports to make available information about medium and long term trends, risks, opportunities which affect or may affect Australia or Australian society—very important—and information and impartial analysis relating to those opportunities, risks and trends. It requires agencies to publish annual APS employee census results. It makes technical amendments consequential to the making of the Public Service Regulations 2023 following the sunsetting of the Public Service Regulation 1999—Commonwealth law.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗ -
James Stevens James Stevens supports the bill in principle because he wants to re-empower the Public Service and reduce reliance on consultants, but he says the coalition still wants to engage further with the government and broader Thodey reviewThe 2019 independent review that said the APS had lost capability and needed stronger values, accountability and independence. issues.
“There are certainly times when and reasons why external, impartial and independent sources of analysis and information should be sought, but I think that we should be re-empowering the Public Service at every opportunity. They should have our confidence that they will be the first port of call for developing and providing solutions and suggestions to government. To the extent to which this bill may be able to facilitate that, that would be tremendous, but, as the member for Bradfield, the Manager of Opposition Business, has said, we in the coalition, when it comes to this bill, would like to engage further with the government.”
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Paul Fletcher Fletcher says the coalition is reserving its position on the bill because it has not yet been briefed and wants it referred to Senate committee for inquiry.
“I rise to speak on the Public Service Amendment Bill 2023. The opposition will be reserving its position on this bill, having regard to the fact that the minister has offered to provide a briefing to the relevant shadow minister and that debate on this bill has commenced prior to that briefing occurring. While there are many elements in the bill that the opposition supports, we believe this bill can be improved in several ways. We note the significance the government has placed on these changes, in the second reading speech delivered by the minister, and we will be seeking to have this bill referred to the relevant Senate legislation committee for inquiry.”
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Minor parties and independents
2 speakers · 2 oppose
Minor parties and independents
2 speakers · 2 oppose
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Kate Chaney ★ Chaney opposes giving the bill a second reading now.
“But I ask the government to consider these three points: (1) reform of the APS is essential for our government and our democracy to function, so it should be done comprehensively and strategically; (2) the timing of reform is critical and we must wait for the report of the robodebt royal commission in order to learn from past mistakes to prioritise our reform for the future; and (3) reform must be substantive, not rhetorical and it needs to be backed by appropriate resourcing and budget. We need government to act decisively. I move:”
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Monique Ryan ★ Ryan opposes the bill because she says it is too small and uninspired to deliver the deeper public service reform she wants.
“Finally, and most egregiously, we've recently heard of the failures of robodebt, an unlawful method of automated debt assessment and recovery employed by Services Australia as part of its Centrelink payment compliance program. Robodebt was a case study in bad government and Public Service failure. We have to learn from the lessons of robodebt, but this bill will do nothing to facilitate that. It's premature that we're seeing this limited and uninspired legislation before we see the report of the robodebt royal commission. I support my colleague the member for Curtin in her suggestion that we should delay this legislation until we have that report.”
Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
Full record
- Act title
- Public Service Amendment Act 2024
- Act number
- Act No. 44, 2024
- Became law
- 11 June 2024
- Takes effect
- The whole of this Act A single day to be fixed by Proclamation. However, if the provisions do not commence within the period of 6 months beginning on the day this Act receives the Royal Assent, they commence on the day after the end of that period.
- Registered
- 12 June 2024
- Administered by
- Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
- Royal Assent was 11 Jun 2024, but the Act commenced on a day fixed by Proclamation or, if not proclaimed earlier, the day after the six-month fallback period from Royal Assent.
- The as-made Act text available in this run did not include a proclamation date in the Date/Details column, so the fallback commencement date is 11 Dec 2024.
- Status
- Act -- Collected from the APH bill page.
- Originating house
- House of Representatives
- 14 June 2023
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
- 14 June 2023
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
- 20 June 2023
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 22 June 2023
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 31 July 2023
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 01 Aug 2023
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
- 01 Aug 2023
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
- 01 Aug 2023
House · Consideration in detail debate
Consideration in detail
The chamber considered the bill in detail and dealt with amendments before the next stage.
- 01 Aug 2023
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
- 02 Aug 2023
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
- 02 Aug 2023
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
- 16 May 2024
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
- 16 May 2024
Senate · Amendments considered
Amendment packages agreed
The chamber considered amendments before the bill moved to the next stage.
- 28 May 2024
House · Consideration of Senate message
House agreed to Senate amendments
The House dealt with Senate amendments or requests so both chambers could settle the bill in the same form.
- 28 May 2024
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
- 11 June 2024
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final approval step that turns a bill passed by Parliament into an Act., turning the bill into an Act.
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills
Considered by scrutiny committee
Considered by scrutiny committee (21 June 2023): Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Scrutiny Digest 8 of 2023
APH bill page notesSenate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Commitee report (30/08/2023)
Referred to committee
Referred to Committee (22 June 2023): Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee; Commitee report (30 Aug 2023)
APH bill page notes