SES Ethics Workshop

Compliance or Culture How to institutionalise ethics in public administration

Objectives By the end of the workshop SES Officers will have: 1.Demonstrated an understanding of the Integrity and Accountability regime in Queensland 2.Applied the ethics principles to ethical dilemmas 3.Developed a conceptual framework for their leadership of ethical practice and culture in their agencies 4.Committed to action as champions of ethical practice and culture within their agencies and across government

A Conceptual Framework for Reform Strategy – Structure – Culture

STRATEGY

Integrity and Accountability reforms a call to action Four key principles underpinning a robust integrity and accountability framework strong rules strong culture strong scrutiny strong enforcement

Government focus on ethics Summary of Reforms Strong Rules Including: One Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service Gifts and Benefits policy Regulating the lobbyist industry

Government focus on ethics Summary of Reforms Strong Culture Including: Ethical leadership Mandatory ethics training Queensland Public Sector Ethics Network

Government focus on ethics Summary of Reforms Strong Scrutiny Including: Integrity Commissioner role expanded Requirement to publish departmental gifts registers Reform of State Procurement Policy

Government focus on ethics Summary of Reforms Strong Enforcement Including: Crime and Misconduct Commission Public Service Commission Effective Public Interest Disclosure regime

Structure

Integrity Regime Your Agency Internal ethics activities and advice Crime and Misconduct Commission Crime and Misconduct Act Combat major crime Raising public sector integrity Protecting witnesses Public Service Commission Public Service Act Public Sector Ethics Act Public Interest Disclosure Act Ethics advice, policy and training Integrity Commissioner Integrity Act Integrity advice to Ministers/ CEO/ SES Lobbyist Register Queensland Audit Office Auditor-General Act Independent assessment of financial management Help agencies improving financial management Ombudsman Ombudsman Act Independent complaints investigation Help agencies improving administrative and decision making practice Information Commissioner Right to Information Act Information Privacy Act

CULTURE

Public Sector Ethics Act Ethics Principles Integrity and impartiality Promoting the public good Commitment to the system of government Accountability and transparency

Integrity and impartiality  Truthfulness  Fairness  Honesty  Not prejudiced  Unbiased  Just

Promoting the public good actions that benefit the people of Queensland as a whole

Commitment to the system of government the government (elected by the people) and the laws and institutions (public service and courts)

Accountability and transparency to act responsibly so our actions and decisions can be explained being open and candid so our actions and decisions can be easily understood

Ethics in practice

What happens when things go wrong?

Ethical failure Hurricane KatrinaNew Orleans Failure to act in the public good Perception of lack of integrity and impartiality -lack of respect for the people Human impact: significant additional distress to survivors and loss of life

Ethical failure Reconstruction of Iraq Failure to act in the public good Lack of integrity and impartiality Lack of transparency and accountability Human impact: loss of security, services and human life

Ethical failure The AWB, DFAT and the Oil for Food Program Failure to act with integrity and impartiality Failure to act with accountability and transparency Failure to uphold laws Impact: breach of UN sanctions, undermining of public confidence

Ethical failure Insert agency example

Putting the Conceptual Framework into Practice Structure – Culture – Strategy

STRUCTURE in practice

Reform accountabilities for SES Gifts and benefits Declaration of interests Lobbyist register Employment separation procedures Interaction with ministerial staff Ethics advisory service Public Interest Disclosures Discipline processes

Reform accountabilities for SES Reforms to the State Procurement Policy from 1 July 2011, publication of: details of awarded contracts over $10,000 contracts over $10 million Independent oversight of procurement Legislation to allow issuing of apologies

Reform accountabilities for SES Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service positive expression of the values that underpin effective public service Principles - 4 ethics principles Values - strengthening the principles Standards of conduct – help us put the Code into practice

Reform accountabilities for SES Ethics training Legislative commitment for annual mandatory ethics training Workshop for CEOs conducted Training continued here and for all SES Support training in ethics and ethical decision-making for all staff

CULTURE in practice

‘The public sector is held to an ethical standard not demanded of others. It must recognise the distinctive nature of its contribution to the public good and meet a demanding accountability regime.’ (Shergold)

Ethical decision-making ‘..possibly the most important act of courage for a public servant is to decide.’ ‘Public administrators must be able to face the ambiguity and the paradoxical nature of ethics without being immobilised by them.’ (Lynch and Lynch, 2009)

Ethics advice  Your peers  Your agency ethics, human resources area, or legal area PSC Ethics Advisory Service Crime and Misconduct Commission:

STRATEGY in practice

Leadership ‘A robust integrity system requires a public sector that emphasises strong leadership … and a conscious dedication to ethical values … Leaders must communicate the importance of ethical decision-making in the workplace and they must promote ethical behaviours in their day-to-day activities and decisions.’ (Government response to Integrity and Accountability in Queensland, 2009) ‘Ethics must be part of mission and business strategy … not just a matter of appointing an ethics officer or ethics committee.’ (Transparency International Australia)

Discussion questions How do you embed ethics into your organisations? What are the challenges? What approach will you take to develop an integrated response to the integrity and accountability reforms?

Discussion question ‘..a healthy organisational culture actively promotes congruence between the values of the organisations and the individuals working in it.’ (Casali and Day, 2010) What are the values of your organisation and how do you ensure they are reflected in strategy and culture?

Performance Commitment Research shows - ethical conduct in public administration increases employee morale Leaders must communicate the importance of ethical decision-making, and promote ethical behaviour in their day-to- day activities and decisions

Conclusion Where to from here… What will YOU do to institutionalise ethics?