National Anti-Corruption Commission
The Attorney-General’s Department and the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity delivered a presentation on the National Anti-Corruption Commission. This included an overview of the legal framework, key obligations for agency heads and how agencies could prepare for the commencement of the Commission in mid-2023.
Public Service Act
Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Secretary Public Sector Reform provided a detailed update to the COO Committee (the Committee) on proposed Public Service Act 1999 amendments, including progress of consultation and engagement. Proposed amendments include: establishing a Purpose Statement, the addition of Stewardship as an APS Value, legislating Long Term Insights Briefings and Capability Reviews, and publishing APS employee census results by agencies.
APS Bargaining
The Committee noted an update from Mr Peter Riordan, Deputy Commissioner Workplace Relations Bargaining Taskforce, on APS Bargaining.
Commonwealth Child Safety Framework
In 2022, over two-thirds of non-corporate Commonwealth entities published the required annual statement of compliance with the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (Framework). The Committee agreed to remind non‑corporate entities to publish an annual statement by 31 October 2023. Guidance on the Framework, including the annual statement, is available on the National Office for Child Safety website.
APS Reform
Dr Rachel Bacon, Deputy Secretary Public Sector Reform updated the Committee on a recent implementation workshop with APS reform initiative leads; progress of the Future of Work sub-committee; and progress against the First Nations Operating Picture presented to the Committee at its February 2023 meeting.
Commonwealth Risk Committee
The Commonwealth Risk Committee held its inaugural meeting on 6 December 2022, has settled Terms of Reference and is finalising its Forward Work Plan.
SES Performance Framework
The Committee’s Sub-group on SES Performance has agreed Terms of Reference to develop an updated framework to assess behaviours and outcomes to support SES in leading high-performance conversations. An initial update will be provided to the Secretaries Board in April, including the objectives, scope and operation of this work.
Next Meetings
The next COO Committee meeting is scheduled for 26 April 2023.