accountability and transparency

Principle 4

Accountability and transparency


becausepublic trust in public office requires high standards of public administration


to act responsibly so our actions and decisions can be explained

being open and candid so our actions and decisions can be easily understood

Accountability

acting responsibly so our actions and decisions can be

explained

Transparency

being open and candid so our actions and decisions can be

easily understood


public sector entitiesa. are committed to exercising proper diligence, care and attentionb. are committed to using public resources in an effective and

accountable wayc. are committed to managing information as openly as practicable

within the legal frameworkd. value and seek to achieve high standards of public administratione. value and seek to innovate and continuously improve performancef. value and seek to operate within a framework of mutual obligation

and shared responsibility between public service agencies, public sector entities and public officials

Accountability and transparencyvalue a

we exercise proper diligence, care and attention

Proper diligence• we are consistent and persist to achieve outcomes

Care and attention• we ensure accuracy and• we act with consideration and courtesy

we ensure resources are not wasted, abused or used improperly by using them

• effectively - producing the intended result• accountably – responsibly – in a way that can be

explained

Accountability and transparencyvalue b

we use public resources effectively and accountably

government information is• collected/ generated using public money • to serve the publictherefore• information about government priorities, policies, actions

and decisions should generally be available to the public

Accountability and transparencyvalue c

we manage information openly

we actively release information except where• release would not be in the public interest• the information is personal information


we manage information openly within the legal framework

• is available to the people it is about, unless its release could cause harm

will not be released to other people • without the permission of the people it is about, or • when release is authorised by law


personal information

• we give objective, independent, apolitical advice• we ensure our actions and decisions are based on evidence and

are consistent with policy and procedures• we exercise proper diligence, care and attention• we ensure resources are not wasted, abused or used improperly

Accountability and transparencyvalue d

we achieve high standards of public administration

the public service depends on an innovative and creative workforce to deliver effective services

and improve the performance of our agency

Accountability and transparencyvalue e

we innovate and continuously improve performance

• we carry out our duties in a professional manner• we nurture a spirit of enquiry, value knowledge and learning• we share our knowledge with our colleagues• we learn from our colleagues• we participate in training and development• we challenge our selves to develop our personal skills and improve

the way we carry out our duties



• we participate in the debate of ideas that is at the heart of good policy making

• we participate in reviewing and implementing policy and procedures to improve organisational performance and ensuring the highest standard of service delivery

• we use processes and practices that broaden community involvement in government policy development, planning and decision making



we are respectful in our conduct towards colleagues • in our teams• our agency • in other agencies

Accountability and transparencyvalue f

we operate within mutual obligation and shared responsibility between agencies and

employees

we are respectful in our conduct towards colleagues• being courteous and polite• responding positively to requests for assistance• doing what we say we will and keeping people informed• acknowledging and fixing any mistakes• being professional about our colleagues in interactions with other

colleagues and with members of the public


we operate within mutual obligation and shared responsibility between agencies and employees

we are respectful in our conduct towards our agency• professionally performing our duties• being truthful, fair and honest in every• acting consistently with policy and procedures;• resolving issues in the public interest• providing objective, independent, apolitical and impartial advice• ensuring resources are not wasted, abused or used improperly or

extravagantly



our agencies are respectful in their conduct towards employees through

• best practice human resource management • equitable and flexible working environments



we • treat all people equitably and consistently• provide accurate and impartial advice to all clients• apply due care in our work

Promoting the public goodstandard of conduct 4.1

we ensure diligence in public administration

we • demonstrate the principles of procedural fairness and

natural justice when making decisions • exercise our lawful powers and authority with care and for

the purpose for which these were granted



we• comply with all reasonable and lawful instructions• whether or not we personally agree with a given

policy direction



• [Insert agency example]• [Insert reference to agency policy and procedure]



to ensure government dealings with private industry are conducted with the highest level of integrity

• business meetings with persons who were formerly Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries or senior government representatives are not on matters those persons had official dealings with in their recent previous employment

• any engagement we have with lobbyists is properly recorded


we ensure transparency in our business dealings

to ensure government dealings with private industry are conducted with the highest level of integrity

we manage gifts, benefits or hospitality in accordance with our agency policies



we• avoid waste in using public resources• purchase, manage, care for and use public resources in accordance

with official policies• responsibly use human assets: corporate knowledge and intellectual

property


we use official information,public property and facilities appropriately

we use • confidential information for proper purposes and not for private gain• government property for official duties and not for private purposes• government equipment for official duties and not to access or distribute

inappropriate material



the public has a right to the information created and used by the government on their behalf

this is balanced by protections for certain information, including personal information

we have an obligation to ensure the lawful collection and handling of personal information


we ensure appropriate use and disclosure of official information

we treat official information with care • use it only for the purpose for which it was collected or authorised • store official information securely• limit access to people requiring it for legitimate purposes• do not use confidential or privileged information for personal gain

we will continue to respect the confidentiality of official information when we leave public service employment



• we maintain and develop professional skills and knowledge• in consultation with managers, we take reasonable steps to apply for

development opportunities• we actively participate in employee performance management

processes• we actively contribute to business planning and improvement


we commit to innovation and continuous performance improvement



we commit to innovation and continuous performance improvement

accountability and transparency

Documents