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Does the APS code of conduct apply to politicians?

 

There are Ministerial guidelines but they seem to be an extension of the APS code of conduct.  There is no reference to treating people with respect.

 

The Rudd swearing on video saga is currently being…

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Based on events during recent proceedings in the Federal Magistrates Court in which I was the applicant, I formed the opinion that there were obvious and significant breaches, by the respondents (the Commissioner of Taxation and the Commonwealth), of the Legal Services Directions 2005. These included breaches of the Model Litigant policy. Both respondents were represented by the Australian Government Solicitor.…

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THE ATO, THE CODE OF CONDUCT AND ANIMAL CRUELTY

 

(Excerpt from affidavit of Cheryl Robyn Weeks filed in the Federal Magistrates Court on 21 April 2011 alleging contraventions by the ATO of the relevant enterprise agreement.)

           

36.       During Mr Z’s period of leadership I felt I had been ‘sidelined’ and I believed that this was a covert way of exerting pressure on me to retire.

37.       In March 2009 an incident occurred…

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So the push is on for proactive freedom of information in the the APS.



The primary means by which the community will access information released under FOI is via the web. Which means we need to attend to design and avoid the trap of simply publishing link farms. We should also, I suggest, have a consistent design across all APS agencies. To do otherwise is a recipe for confusion.



I have had a look around the place and have found a great example courtesy of the U.K Ministry… Continue

The other day I was having a bit of chat with Craig Thomler about OZloop and thing Gov 2.0. During our conversation I said that I could see no reason why politicians could not openly take part in conversations online. That's not to say I cannot see the challenges.



There are, of course, a million reasons why not. Being taken out of context, having their views interpreted as those of Government etc etc… Continue