ACT Public Service at a glance

Organisational Overview

The ACT Public Service (ACTPS) manages the responsibilities of the ACT Government and provides our community with responsive and accessible services for the benefit of all Canberrans.

Administrative Arrangements issued by the Chief Minister under the Australian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 (Cwlth) and Public Sector Management Act 1994 reflect the ACT Government’s commitment to the following priorities:

• health and education investment;
• suburban renewal and better transport;
• economic growth and diversification; and
• enhancing liveability and social inclusion.

The ACTPS is divided into eight directorates. Each directorate specialises in different functions for the ACT Government. The directorates are arranged into clusters to strengthen our performance as a Service. The clusters emphasise key collaborative relationships.

For 2018-19, the clusters were:

• Strengthening governance and promoting opportunity cluster consisted of:
  • Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (CMTEDD).
• Supporting our community cluster consisted of:
  • Community Services Directorate (CSD);
  • Education Directorate (EDU);
  • ACT Health Directorate (ACTHD);
  • Canberra Health Services (CHS); and
  • Justice and Community Safety Directorate (JACS).
• Enhancing our city cluster consisted of:
  • Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate (EPSDD);
  • Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate (TCCS); and
  • Justice and Community Safety Directorate.

In addition to these directorates, there are a number of specialised agencies that form part of the broader ACT Public Sector.

Head of Service

The Head of Service is responsible for overarching leadership of the ACTPS. The position provides direction and coordination across the ACTPS on policy and strategy.

Section 31 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 (the PSM Act), provides that the Chief Minister may engage an eligible person as the Head of Service. Under section 17 of the PSM Act, the Head of Service has leadership functions across the ACTPS in relation to:

• developing, overseeing the implementation of, coordinating and providing advice and reports to the Chief Minister about Whole of Government strategies;
• providing direction across the Service in relation to critical or potentially critical issues;
• promoting cooperation and collegiality within and between administrative units; and
• promoting and upholding in the ACTPS the public sector values, the public sector principles and the conduct required of a public servant, including by personal example.

In addition, the Head of Service has a number of management functions under the PSM Act and the Public Sector Management Standards 2016 (the PSM Standards) which include:

• engaging, appointing and employing people on behalf of the Territory in accordance with the merit and equity principle;
• organising public servants in the ACTPS;
• providing advice and reports to the Chief Minister about employment in the ACTPS; and
• any other function given to the Head of Service by the Chief Minister.

The Head of Service also holds powers and/or obligations under the following legislation:

• Board and Senior Secondary Studies Act 1997;
• Cemeteries and Crematoria Act 2003;
• Children and Young People Act 2008;
• City Renewal Authority and Suburban Land Agency Act 2017;
• Crimes (Sentence Administration) Act 2005;
• Director of Public Prosecutions Act 1990;
• Government Procurement Act 2001;
• Inquiries Act 1991;
• Inspector of Correctional Services Act 2017;
• Integrity Commission Act 2018;
• Judicial Commission 1994;
• Law Officers Act 2011;
• Long Service Leave (Portable Schemes) Act 2009;
• Motor Accident Injuries Act 2019;
• Planning and Development Act 2007;
• Public Sector Workers Compensation Fund Act 2018;
• Remuneration Tribunal Act 1995;
• Royal Commissions Act 1991; and
• Territory Records Act 2002.

Some of these powers have been delegated to relevant Directors-General.

The Head of Service is also the Director-General, Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate and has responsibilities of a Director-General under section 19 of the PSM Act.

2018-19 Priorities

The focus for the Head of Service over 2018-19 was to:

• use the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the ACTPS in 2019 to celebrate and further strengthen performance of the ACTPS;
• foster positive workplace cultures and drive employment initiatives to increase diversity within the ACTPS, including programs and new opportunities to support the attraction and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and People with Disability, Veterans and LGBTIQ employees;
• lead and support organisational and cultural change across the ACTPS to ensure workforce readiness ahead of the completion of the new office blocks during 2020;
• drive digital transformation including the opportunities for better use of data;
• strengthen whole of service communications and engagement capability;
• support workforce planning and capability development across the ACTPS through the implementation of executive development programs and the release of Whole of Government workforce plans for entry level positions; and
• finalise and implement the Enterprise Agreements and associated commitments.

Significant Committees

Strategic Board

The Head of Service is the chair of the Strategic Board, comprising all Directors-General and other Whole of Government roles, including the Deputy Director-General, the Under Treasurer, Workforce Capability and Governance, Deputy Director-General, Policy and Cabinet and Chief Digital Officer. The Strategic Board provides Whole of Government leadership and strategic direction to the ACTPS, including in relation to the management and development of the workforce. Strategic Board meetings are held on a fortnightly basis.

The Strategic Board is the peak ACTPS forum which leads the delivery of cross-directorate and strategic issues. It takes a Whole of Government strategic approach to its role.

The Strategic Board strives to aid the delivery of Government priorities and policies through:

• defining and driving the ACTPS forward agenda in line with Government priorities;
• building the capacity and capability of ACTPS employees;
• promoting an inclusive, collaborative, and cooperative culture within the ACTPS; and
• ensuring the operation of proper governance and accountability arrangements across the ACTPS.

The priority areas for the Strategic Board during 2018-19 were to:

1. drive the growth and diversification of the ACT economy (including by reforming our regulatory approach);
2. lead the digital transition in the ACT;
3. drive social inclusion and domestic violence prevention and responses;
4. position the ACT within the region and nation;
5. 1. build an agile, streamlined and engaged ACT Public Service;
   2. create agile procurement processes and deliver on capital works in a timely manner; and
6. support the Government to engage the ACT community.

Joint Council

The Head of Service, or their delegate, co-chairs the ACTPS Joint Council with the unions. Established under the PSM Act, Joint Council is the peak union and management consultative committee for the ACTPS, meeting twice a year. Joint Council provides a forum for the consideration of and exchange of information on matters of strategic interest to ACTPS employees and employee organisations.

Joint Council considers significant issues that have, or might have, a multi-directorate impact on the employment of ACTPS employees. These matters include Whole of Government industrial relations issues, Whole of Government human resource issues and administrative and communication issues.

Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Council

The Head of Service is a council member of the IPAA Council. IPAA promotes excellence and professionalism in public service. The council advises on key initiatives that drive the direction of IPAA under four overarching pillars:

• Connecting a Trusted Public Service;
• Promoting a Spirit of Service;
• Growing Capability and Professionalism; and
• Extending our Influence and Engagement.

As a representative of the ACTPS on the IPAA Council, the Head of Service provides the ACTPS with a voice on the future direction of best practice public administration within Australia.

Council of the Order of Australia

The Head of Service is a member of the Council of the Order of Australia as a representative of the ACT. The Order of Australia is the principal means of recognising outstanding members of the community at a national level. As a member of the Council of the Order of Australia, the Head of Service provides a voice for celebrating the achievements of the people of the ACT at a national level.

Significant Awards and Recognition

Throughout 2018-19, teams and individuals from the ACTPS were recognised for outstanding achievements and significant contributions made to the community. Recognition was given in the form of awards both within directorates and by external bodies. Each directorate administered an awards process internally, providing recognition at the local level.

At the whole of service level, the ACTPS Awards for Excellence are held annually to recognise outstanding contributions within the Service under the categories of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Leadership and the Bill Harris Executive Leadership Award.

The winners of the ACTPS Awards, presented in August 2018 were:

Respect

Antoinette Buchanan, Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate – For her personal commitment to reconciliation and great respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their culture.

Integrity

Actsmart Low Income Programs Team, Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate: Pauline Carder, Esther Duffy, Cathy Hanson, Daniel Harding, Emma Humphreys, Ros Malouf, Toby Pearson, Andrew Roylance (Housing ACT - CSD), Barry Viney (Electrical – Access Canberra, CMTEDD), Barnie van Wyk (CEO St Vincent de Paul Canberra/Goulburn)  – For their integrity and dedication to ensuring low-income households have access to Actsmart programs.

Integrity

Fyshwick Depot Cleaning Team, Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate: Som Chaleune, Michael Clancy, Frederick Griffiths, Danielle McMahon, John Reid, Terry Wilson  – For displaying initiative, integrity and excellence in customer service by ensuring lost items are returned to their owners.

Collaboration

David Jones, Education Directorate – For dedication and effective collaboration to successfully deliver the NAPLAN online project in the ACT.

Women's Care Team, Alexander Maconochie Centre, Justice and Community Safety Directorate: Staci Aksenov, Lynne Fowler, Dale Freeston, Natalie Jones, Vanessa Pece  – For providing coordinated support services and programs to female detainees at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

Innovation

Housing and Homelessness Summit Team, Community Services Directorate: Alexa Furphy, Deborah Folucher, Sarah Goodwin, Anne Harkin, Anne Jenkins, Hayley Jones, Tracey Lianos, Koreen Lowen, Tony Malone, David Masula, Eileen McEntee, Rebecca McIntyre, Min McIntyre, Nga Nguyen, Biljana Petrova, Lynton Sheehan, John Shevlin, Kerrie Shevlin, Huyen Truong, Quynh Vu, Maurice Walker, Kim Wheeler, Stacey Wrench, David Worner  – For excellence in the delivery of the 2017 Housing and Homelessness Summit.

Patrice Higgins, Health Directorate – For her work to establish the Guardianship Tribunal within the Canberra Hospital, providing streamlined patient care.

Leadership

Sarah Kalleske, Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate – For providing strong leadership and support to Executive Assistants across the service.

Head of Service Award for Exceptional Service

Jo Byrne, Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate – For demonstrating personal bravery and an outstanding commitment to student safety.

Bill Harris Executive Leadership

Anita Perkins, Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate - For her strategic vision and outstanding leadership in revolutionising ACT Government communications and engagement.

Some of the significant external awards and award nominations received across the sector include:

Australia Day Awards

• Professor Jane Dahlstrom was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for her service to medical education, and to pathology. Professor Dahlstrom is currently the Director, ACT Pathology, Canberra Health Services.
• Gregory Harmey was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal for his outstanding leadership and dedication to ACT Fire and Rescue, including the training of his fellow firefighters in urgent duty driving techniques, and his recent support for injured firefighters.

Public Service Medal (PSM) Awards

• Meredith Whitten was awarded a Public Service Medal for her outstanding public service to organisational integrity and capability in the disability sector, in particular her leadership through the transition of Disability ACT and Therapy ACT into the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
• Glynis Steward was awarded a Public Service Medal for her outstanding public service to education in the ACT. She is a classroom teacher at Evatt primary School, where she firmly believes that education is not merely about numbers and school results, but about every child, every day, in every classroom.
• Dr Loretta Zamprogno was also awarded a Public Service Medal for outstanding service to the law, and to legal education in the ACT. Dr Zamprogno was a Deputy Chief Solicitor of the ACT Government Solicitor's Office until her recent retirement, specialising in procurement, contracting, commercial and property law matters.

Queen’s Birthday Honours

• Rohan Scott was awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for his distinguished career with the ACT Rural Fire Service, in particular his leadership in times of crisis, including during the 2003 Canberra Bushfires and the recent Pierces Creek Fire.
• Stephen Perry was awarded an Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM) for his commitment to ACT Fire and Rescue, in particular his tireless work to develop and deliver effective training for ACT firefighters, as well as assisting those from other Australian fire services.
• Megan Davis was awarded an Ambulance Service Medal (ABSM), for her commitment to the ACT Ambulance Service, as an Ambulance Paramedic and an Intensive Care Paramedic, in particular her recent role as the coordinator of initiatives aimed at improving the care of mental health patients.
• Andrew Gradie was awarded an Emergency Services Medal (ESM) for his commitment to the ACT State Emergency Service, in particular his leadership and focus on continuous improvement of response capabilities.