57765 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for the Public Service

57765 (2024). Francisco Hernandez to the Minister for the Public Service: What actions, if any, is the Minister taking to counter 'complacency and a reactive approach to policymaking at top levels of politics and the public service', as found by Transparency International's recent research report dated 11 August 2024?

Hon Nicola Willis: For the Members information, the Public Service Act 2020 sets out the public service principles which include: • Free and frank advice - when giving advice to Ministers, to do so in a free and frank manner • Stewardship - to proactively promote stewardship of the public service, including of— o its long-term capability and its people; and o its institutional knowledge and information; and o its systems and processes; and o its assets; and o the legislation administered by agencies. Public service chief executives are responsible for upholding the public service principles when carrying out their responsibilities and functions; and ensuring that the agencies they lead or carry out some functions within also do so. The Public Service Commission holds public service chief executives to account for their performance including how they uphold these principles.