As we move toward our 25th year as a public service, I am delighted to provide this year’s State of the Service Report. The ACT Public Service (ACTPS) is a mature, innovative and respected Service made up of a diverse group of Canberrans providing services to their fellow Canberrans.
The unique model of Government in Canberra has allowed the ACTPS to continue to deliver integrated State and municipal functions in ways that are the envy of other jurisdictions and has contributed to Canberra being named the world’s “third most liveable city”. We strive to operate as One Service, delivering comprehensive advice to our Ministers to support them to serve the community, and delivering coherent services directly to the community on their behalf. The ACTPS is a public service that people want to work for because of the opportunity to engage in contemporary and innovative thinking.
As you read this report you will see many examples of teams and individuals being recognised through national and industry awards for the redesign and improvement of services to the ACT community. National awards were achieved in the areas of architecture, civil design, medicine, teaching, marketing, process improvement and innovation, and master planning. In addition Public Service Medals were awarded to the outgoing Public Sector Standards Commissioner, Ms Bronwen Overton-Clarke, the late Dr Karl Alderson, and recently retired Mr Phillip Green for their outstanding public service.
Our multi-level Whole of Government Communication and Engagement Strategy has seen significant improvement in the community feeling engaged and listened to. In 2015, 58 per cent of the ACT community felt well informed. In 2018 it is now 78 per cent. This level of engagement has ensured our response to consultation is relevant and delivers on community expectations.
Data analytics and data management present significant opportunities to take our advice to Ministers and service to the community to a new level. Data analytics has the potential to help identify new perspectives on complex problems and improve outcomes.
During 2017-18, the Office of the Chief Digital Officer established the ACT Centre of Data Excellence which will contribute to the delivery of better services for the community and improved evidence based decision-making. In addition, the ACT Digital Services platform was established and will enable people to access multiple ACT government services easily via their mobile phone.
We have continued a focus on strengthening the capability of our workforce by building the diversity of the ACTPS to ensure we are truly reflective of the community we serve. This year we saw continued growth in the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees from 350 to 380 employees. We also saw the number of employees who identify with disability increase from 521 to 565.
An ACT Government Veterans’ Employment Strategy was launched in September 2017 which paves the way to assist veterans in gaining employment with the ACTPS while attracting highly skilled staff to the Service. The Office for LGBTIQ Affairs was also established to coordinate a whole of government approach for promoting Canberra as the most LGBTIQ friendly city in the country. These are indicators of the inclusive public service we strive to be.
Canberrans can be proud of their Public Service. We have come a long way since 1994 and continue to go from strength to strength. I look forward to joining with the community and the broader public sector to celebrate 25 years in 2019.
Kathy Leigh
Head of Service
October 2018