Accountability for Performance in a more Contractually Oriented Public Sector

The theme of this conference, ‘New Days, New Ways’ is very appropriate and timely given the nature of the challenges currently facing the Australian Public Service (APS). It could be argued that the APS has been steadily evolving towards a more private sector orientation over the last decade or so more so recently as a consequence of the momentum of the National Competition Policy reforms See Independent Committee of Inquiry into National Competition Policy, (1993); National Competition Policy, Report to Heads of Australian Governments, AGPS, Canberra. (See also Industry Commission [1995] The Growth and Revenue Implications of Hilmer and Related Reforms; A report by the Industry Commission to the Council of Australian Governments, AGPS; Canberra) and the Industry Commission inquiry into competitive tendering and contracting in 1995 Industry Commission (1996) Competitive Tendering and Contracting by Public Sector Agencies. January.. Moreover, the Government has made it clear that the challenge of public sector reform remains both substantial and urgent. This was indicated in a discussion paper by the then Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service. The Hon Peter Reith MP, (1996) Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service; Towards a Best Practice Australian Public Service A Discussion Paper; AGPS. The thrust was reinforced in the new Public Service Bill (1997) which looks as if it will be subject to robust Parliamentary debate. In his second reading speech, the Minister highlighted that the Bill: