Public Sector Act 2022 (Qld)

Public Sector Act 2022

An Act to provide for the administration of the public sector, the employment arrangements for public sector employees, a fair and responsive public sector and particular matters relating to individuals other than public sector employees

Chapter 1 Preliminary

Part 1 Introduction

1 Short title This Act may be cited as the Public Sector Act 2022.

2 Commencement This Act commences on 1 March 2023.

3 Main purpose of Act The main purpose of this Act is to provide a framework for a fair and integrated public sector that serves the people of Queensland and the State.

4 How main purpose is primarily achieved The main purpose of this Act is to be achieved primarily by— (a) ensuring the public sector is responsive to the community it serves by— (i) promoting a spirit of service to the community; and (ii) providing for the appointment of chief executives and the employment of senior executives to provide the public service with high-performing, future-focused leadership; and (iii) providing for the employment and administration of the public service; and (iv) taking measures to promote the effectiveness and efficiency of public sector entities; and (v) establishing the Public Sector Commission and providing for the appointment of a Public Sector Commissioner to enhance the public sector's human resource management and capability; and (vi) establishing the Public Sector Governance Council to provide oversight of public sector governance; and (vii) establishing a shared responsibility for the effective stewardship of the public sector between the Public Sector Governance Council, the Public Sector Commissioner and chief executives of departments; and (b) creating a public sector that supports the State government in reframing its relationship with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples by— (i) ensuring public sector entities recognise the importance to Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the right to self-determination; and (ii) ensuring public sector entities actively promote the perspectives of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and (c) creating a public sector that ensures fairness in the employment relationship and fair treatment of its employees by— (i) providing for the key rights, obligations and employment arrangements of public sector employees; and (ii) maximising employment security and permanency of employment; and (iii) taking steps to promote equity, diversity, respect and inclusion in employment, including for diversity target groups; and (iv) ensuring a high-performing and diverse workforce, through fair and transparent, merit-based selection processes; and (v) ensuring fair and accountable decision-making, including by providing public sector employees with access to fair and independent reviews and appeals; and (vi) setting a positive performance management framework for public sector employees; and (vii) fixing principles to guide public sector managers, and the work performance and personal conduct of public sector employees; and (d) establishing a high-performing, apolitical public sector by effective stewardship that— (i) responds to the needs of the community and the government; and (ii) maintains accountability, impartiality and integrity, while supporting the public interest, and when giving advice to the government; and (iii) focuses on the delivery of services and government programs; and (iv) supports the government in making and implementing decisions about public policy while harnessing creativity and innovation; and (v) ensures public resources are managed efficiently and their use is accountable.