Equipping the Australian Public Service for Australia's Future Challenges

(I-Newswire) March 11, 2010 - The Australian Government Administration will release a blueprint in early 2010, outlining reform policies that will equip the Australian Public Service with the necessary tools it needs to meet the challenges it would face in a time of changing public expectations, technology and demands.
Ahead of the release, Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has released an article in the Australian Journal of Public Administration published by Wiley Blackwell, discussing why the Australian government is undertaking this review process. This published paper also highlights the main findings of an important report that measures the performance of the Australian Public Service against the best public services in the world.

The report finds Australia on par in areas of efficiency in delivering outcomes, ability to develop skills and leadership capabilities, and provision of online access to government information. The areas that require improvement include service delivery, development of policy advice and planning to ensure workforce quality.

“There is no doubt that the Australian Public Service measures up well to the world’s leading public services. While we can take encouragement from the report, the challenge at the moment is to become more strategic and forward-looking, more outward-looking and more citizen-centered”, said PM Rudd.

He added, “We will continue to build on the strong foundations that Sir Robert Garran laid in 1901. The challenges ahead for the Australian Public Service are substantial, but I have every confidence that they have the capacity to meet those future challenges.”

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The article “Equipping the Australian Public Service for Australia’s Future” is published in the February issue of Australian Journal of Public Administration (Vol. 69 , Issue 1).
Media wishing to receive a PDF copy of the article should contact Alina Boey, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications at aboey@wiley.com

About Australian Journal of Public Administration
Aimed at a diverse readership, the Australian Journal of Public Administration is committed to the study and practice of public administration, public management and policy making. It encourages research, reflection and commentary amongst those interested in a range of public sector settings - federal, state, local and inter-governmental. The journal focuses on Australian concerns, but welcomes manuscripts relating to international developments of relevance to Australian experience.

About Wiley
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Since 1901, Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 400 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology/Medicine, Chemistry and Peace.
Our core businesses include scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional/trade publishes books, subscription products, training materials, and online applications and websites; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.

About Wiley-Blackwell
Wiley-Blackwell is the international scientific, technical, medical and scholarly publishing business of John Wiley & Sons, with strengths in every major academic and professional field and partnerships with many of the world’s leading societies. Wiley-Blackwell publishes nearly 1,500 peer-reviewed journals and 1,500+ new books annually in print and online, as well as databases, major reference works and laboratory protocols.

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About John Wiley:
Founded in 1807, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. has been a valued source of information and understanding for 200 years, helping people around the world meet their needs and fulfill their aspirations. Since 1901, Wiley and its acquired companies have published the works of more than 350 Nobel laureates in all categories: Literature, Economics, Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry and Peace.

Our core businesses publish scientific, technical, medical and scholarly journals, encyclopedias, books, and online products and services; professional/trade books, subscription products, training materials, and online applications and websites; and educational materials for undergraduate and graduate students and lifelong learners. Wiley's global headquarters are located in Hoboken, New Jersey, with operations in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Canada, and Australia. The Company's Web site can be accessed at http://www.wiley.com. The Company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols JWa and JWb.

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