MEDIA STATEMENT: A Fresh Start for Queensland: Crisafulli Government delivers greater independence for Public Sector Commission

A Fresh Start for Queensland: Crisafulli Government delivers greater independence for Public Sector Commission 

• Independence of Public Sector Commissioner to be bolstered with amendments to the Public Sector Act.
• Changes will allow Commissioner’s role to be more independent of executive government, in order to drive the independence of Queensland’s public service.  
• Changes deliver on Crisafulli Government’s commitment to a Fresh Start for Queensland and building the capacity of Queensland’s public service.  

The Crisafulli Government will increase the independence of Queensland’s Public Sector Commissioner, to drive transparency, accountability and capacity of the public service and deliver the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future. 

The Public Sector Act 2022 will be amended, removing the ability to terminate the Public Sector Commissioner without grounds, elevating the role to be independent of the Premier of the day. 

The legislation was introduced to Parliament today and delivers on the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to establish an independent Public Sector Commission within its first 100 days.  
 
These amendments will support the Commissioner to act independently, and oversee a public service empowered to provide frank and fearless advice, driven by a commitment to efficiency, ethics and delivering outcomes for Queenslanders.  
 
The changes are the start of delivering on the Crisafulli Government’s seven-point plan for the Queensland public sector focused on accountability, integrity, independence, putting an end to outsourcing the core work of the public service, capacity-building and professional development, and no forced redundancies. 

Premier David Crisafulli said independence for the Public Sector Commission was part of delivering a Fresh Start for Queensland and strengthening Queensland’s public service.   

“We promised Queenslanders we would deliver a government that works for Queenslanders and the first step is empowering the public sector,” Premier Crisafulli said. 

“This begins with delivering independence for the Public Sector Commission. 

“The head of the public sector should be independent of the government of the day, able to deliver continuity to the public service and focused on accountability and transparency.  

“This government values public sector workers and expects nothing less than frank and fearless advice to support good government decision making. 

“We want to boost the independence of the PSC to restore a culture of integrity, accountability and respect right across government and the public sector.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jordan Fabris, 0418 198 814