Code of Conduct
for the
Queensland Public service
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
Government focus on ethics
Strong Rules
Including
• Single public service code of conduct
• Gifts and Benefits policy
• Regulating the lobbyist industry
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
Code of Conduct
for the
Queensland 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 Conduct
for 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 Conduct
for 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 Conduct
for the
Queensland Public Service
Supported by
• 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 Conduct
for the
Queensland Public Service
guidance
to positively take up
our public service roles
Code of Conduct
for the
Queensland Public Service
Ethics principles
•
•
•
•
Integrity & impartiality
Promoting the public good
Commitment to the system of government
Accountability & transparency
Code of Conduct
for the
Queensland Public Service
Trainer instructions
Go to Code of Conduct slide set 2:
• Principle 1: Integrity and impartiality
Code of Conduct
for the
Queensland Public Service
Trainer instructions
Go to Code of Conduct slide set 3:
• Principle 2: Promoting the public good
Code of Conduct
for the
Queensland Public Service
Trainer instructions
Go to Code of Conduct slide set 4:
• Principle 3: Commitment to the system of government
Code of Conduct
for the
Queensland Public Service
Trainer instructions
Go to Code of Conduct slide set 5:
• Principle 4: Accountability and transparency
Upholding the
Code of Conduct
we can all demonstrate ethical
leadership in the way
we perform our role
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 decisionmaking
• demonstrate ethical behaviour in day-to-day actions
Upholding the
Code of Conduct
responsibilities of managers
to
• model and promote this Code
• fostering ethical environments
• ensure understanding of Code
Upholding the
Code of Conduct
responsibilities of employees
we demonstrate the
public sector ethics
principles and values
by the way
we perform our duties
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 Conduct
Advice
use a reputable source
talk to someone independent
who you respect
who will tell you
what you NEED to hear
rather than what you want to hear
Code of Conduct
Advice
 Your supervisor or manager
 Your agency ethics human resources area, or legal area
• PSC Ethics Advisory Service
1300 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 Conduct
Advice
• Insert agency examples
• Insert reference to agency policy and
procedures
Ethics in practice