Improving accountability

Better record keeping
In accordance with the State Records Act 2000 we have submitted a draft Record Keeping Plan for approval by the State Records Commission. We have evaluated the efficiency and effectiveness of existing record keeping systems and developed a series of project plans for action in 2004-2007 to address issues identified in the draft plan.

We will meet our record keeping training obligations by:

• Introducing a web-based training course in record keeping awareness, so every employee will have a clear understanding of their role and responsibilities in creating, managing and maintaining government records that comply with legislative requirements;
• Continuing to provide an introduction to record keeping in our induction program; and
• Reviewing the training program in 2007-08.

We will evaluate, review and report on the effectiveness of the Record Keeping Plan in 2007-08.

Statement of Compliance with Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management and the Code of Ethics
Our commitment to fostering a culture of ethical behaviour and to ensuring our Departmental values grow to underpin all our business practices was further reinforced during 2003-04.

SInce June 2003 more than 800 staff have participated in Values Workshops. During the workshops, teams explore appropriate behaviours consistent with Departmental values, assess the team's performance against those behaviours, and develop an action plan to address any identified gaps.

The Performance Development Review System implemented in December 2003 contains strong links to the values and encourages honest and open discussion concerning appropriate behaviours consistent with corporate values. Following the completion of workshops with all staff, further strategies will be developed to ensure the ongoing life of the values, including a strategy for values-based recruitment that reflects our desired image of 'Employer of Choice'.

Corporate induction, where new staff are provided with information on human resource policies and procedures and an overview of the Public Sector Code of Ethics, is strongly focused on the theme of 'Creating Community Within'. It includes group activities promoting discussion of appropriate workplace behaviours in line with the Public Sector Code of Ethics and Departmental values.

In line with the requirements of the Departmental Policy Framework, recruitment, selection and deployment policies and procedures are constantly reviewed to ensure compliance with the Public Sector Standards in Human Resource Management. All recruitment activity continues to be monitored and for each of the Standards, a comprehensive quality assurance process is in place. Human Resource policies are available to all staff via the Intranet.

During the reporting period 1 July 2003 to 30 June 2004, there were seven requests for review of the recruitment and selection process and one request for review of the Temporary Deployment (Acting) Standard. No breaches were found in relation to either Standard.

Code of Conduct
The Department's Code of Conduct is being updated and circulated for comment, and will be finalised and issued during 2004.

The Director General is responsible for the conduct of all staff. Ethical structures are in place to ensure that there is consistent ethical behaviour and a minimum standard of acceptable behaviour. The code is reviewedregularly to ensure it remains relevant and meets compliance requirements.