code of conduct

for the Queensland Public service

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service

each of us contributes to integrity

and accountability in the public service

Ethics

What is the right thing to do?

Exploring ethics

What are ethics?

Our system of government and the public service

Government focus on ethics

2009 Integrity & Accountability Review• Strong rules• Strong culture• Strong scrutiny• Strong enforcement

Strong Rules

Including• Single public service code of conduct• Gifts and Benefits policy• Regulating the lobbyist industry

Government focus on ethics

Government focus on ethics

Strong Culture

Including• Ethical leadership• Mandatory ethics training• Queensland Public Sector Ethics Network

Government focus on ethics

Strong Scrutiny

Including• Integrity Commissioner role expanded• Requirement to publish departmental gifts

registers• Reform of State Procurement Policy

Government focus on ethics

Strong Enforcement

Including• Crime and Misconduct Commission• Public Service Commission• Effective Public Interest Disclosure regime

Ethics in practice

One Code of Conduct for the Queensland Public Service

to ensure consistency in expectations for• employees • members of the public

to positively promote understanding of the values that underpin effective public service

When the Code applies

• from 1 January 2011• there is no change to the behaviour required of public service

employees• the highest standards of integrity and accountability are expected

from everyone

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

Who is covered

Any Queensland public service agency employee• permanent, temporary, full-time, part-time or casual, and • volunteer, student, contractor, consultant or anyone employed in any

other capacity

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

The Code contains the principles and values from the Public Sector Ethics Act 1994

Each principle is strengthened by a set of values describing the behaviour that will demonstrate that principle

The standards of conduct help us put the principles and values into practice

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

• legislation• awards, enterprise agreements, subsidiary agreements • directives, whole-of-government policies and standards

and our agency’s• policies• organisational values and • organisational documents

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

Supported by

guidance

to positively take up

our public service roles

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

• Integrity & impartiality• Promoting the public good• Commitment to the system of government• Accountability & transparency

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

Ethics principles

Go to Code of Conduct slide set 2:• Principle 1: Integrity and impartiality

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

Trainer instructions

Go to Code of Conduct slide set 3:• Principle 2: Promoting the public good

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

Trainer instructions

Go to Code of Conduct slide set 4:• Principle 3: Commitment to the system of government

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

Trainer instructions

Go to Code of Conduct slide set 5:• Principle 4: Accountability and transparency

Code of Conductfor the

Queensland Public Service

Trainer instructions

we can all demonstrate ethical

leadership in the way

we perform our role

Upholding the Code of Conduct

Upholding the Code of Conduct

in all aspects of our work

and ensuring our private conduct does not reflect seriously or adversely on the public service

Upholding the Code of Conduct

responsibilities of leaders

to• visibly demonstrate and uphold the Code• promote an organisational culture that values high

ethical standards and behaviour• communicating the importance of ethical decision-

making• demonstrate ethical behaviour in day-to-day actions

to • model and promote this Code• fostering ethical environments• ensure understanding of Code

Upholding the Code of Conduct

responsibilities of managers

we demonstrate the public sector ethics

principles and values by the way

we perform our duties

Upholding the Code of Conduct

responsibilities of employees

Upholding the Code of Conduct

• Insert agency examples• Insert reference to agency policy and

procedures

Upholding the Code of Conduct

• we will identify and report conduct that is not consistent with the Code

• managers will make fair, transparent and consistent decisions about reported issues

• agencies will support employees who report genuine concerns of wrongdoing and manage reports in a fair, transparent and consistent manner

Public Interest Disclosures

New legislation allows for• disclosures made in the public interest• protection for employees who provide information about

certain types of wrongdoing

Upholding the Code of Conduct

• Insert agency examples• Insert reference to agency policy and procedures

Code of ConductAdvice

use a reputable source

talk to someone independent who you respect who will tell you

what you NEED to hearrather than what you want to hear

Code of ConductAdvice

Your supervisor or manager

Your agency ethics human resources area, or legal area

• PSC Ethics Advisory Service1300 038 472 www.ethics.qld.gov.au

• Crime and Misconduct Commission:for matters of suspected official misconduct 3360 6060 www.cmc.qld.gov.au

Code of ConductAdvice

• Insert agency examples• Insert reference to agency policy and

procedures

Ethics in practice