The New Zealand State Services Commission's (NZSSC) four-year performance framework contains objectives, outcomes, impact and output measures that enable an understanding of its overall performance, and are a useful guide for VPSC, as outlined in Figure C1.

Figure C1

NZSSC Performance Framework 2015–19: System Stewardship

Under the Public Administration Act 2004 (the Act), two of VPSC's functions are issuing and applying codes of conduct derived from the public sector values, and issuing and applying standards derived from the Employment Principles.

Figure B1 outlines the Public Sector Values outlined in the Act.

Figure B1

Public Sector Values

We have consulted with the Victorian Public Sector Commission and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and we considered their views when reaching our audit conclusions. As required by section 16(3) of the Audit Act 1994 , we gave a draft copy of this report, or relevant extracts, to those agencies and asked for their submissions and comments.

Responsibility for the accuracy, fairness and balance of those comments rests solely with the agency head.

Responses were received as follows:

Working efficiently and effectively enables public sector agencies to make the best use of scarce resources and achieve their objectives. Robust performance information is important for agencies to understand how well they are performing. However, measuring performance can be complex, particularly when agencies are trying to measure the impact of their activities.

Strategic plans and annual plans are necessary for agencies to identify priorities and set out how they will meet them. Planning should meet legislative requirements, be linked to an agency's objectives, and support allocation of resources to achieve priorities.

Under the Public Administration Act 2004 (the Act), the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC) must develop:

High-quality public services are critical to the wellbeing and prosperity of the community. The Victorian public sector comprises approximately 3 388 entities, employs about 286 000 people, and delivers a diverse range of services, such as healthcare, schools and roads. This requires a skilled public service capable of giving comprehensive and impartial advice to government, effectively and efficiently implementing policy, and delivering services. The public sector must operate with absolute integrity to meet the needs of the Victorian community and maintain its trust.

Impartiality, professionalism and integrity are important foundations for the public sector. Public sector staff must act with these values in mind, to ensure the use of public funds is as effective and efficient as possible, to meet community needs and to maintain public trust. Government and Parliament must be able to rely on the public sector to deliver effective services and provide robust advice to guide decision-making.

Ordered to be published

VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PRINTER June 2017

PP No 255, Session 2014–17 

The survey we conducted as part of this audit was designed to gather information on governance practices and obtain feedback on the effectiveness of guidance issued by the Victorian Public Sector Commission (VPSC), the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and portfolio departments.

This appendix presents our methodology and the results of the survey.

Survey methodology

Selection of participant entities

There are about 3 400 Victorian public sector entities with boards.