On the 16 July 2009 the Parliament of South Australia enacted the Public Sector Act 2009

the passage of this Act formally brought to an end an era which placed excessive emphasis on the centralisation of management authority within a framework of rigid rules, regulations and procedures;

in its place the new Act establishes a set of principles which define a modern and streamlined employment framework that is designed to support a high performing public sector guided in all of its actions by the highest standards of ethical conduct;

this Code embodies and builds upon those principles and in so doing seeks to advance the objects of the Act in the pursuit of good government in South Australia;

this Code of Ethics is the Code of Conduct for the purposes of the Public Sector Act 2009

To review the Public Sector Act 2009 - Code of Ethics please download here.

The Public Sector Act 2009 commenced on 1 February 2010. This Act replaces the Public Sector Management Act 1995, which has been amended and retitled to become the Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act 1995.  

Together these Acts form the foundation for Public Sector Employment in South Australia and provide a modern, flexible employment framework. Agencies and employees across the whole of the public sector are governed by a comprehensive set of principles with greater emphasis on 'one government'.

Public Sector Act 2009

Public Sector Regulations 2010

Public Sector (Honesty and Accountability) Act 1995

Please contact the Office for Ethical Standards and Professional Integrity on 8226 2663 or  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions.

The Commissioner's Standards issued under the Public Sector Management Act 1995 remain valid until they are rescinded and replaced with Determinations issued under the Public Sector Act 2009.

Supporting Documents: 

Explanation of clauses - Regulations

Explanation of clauses Public Sector Act 2009

Attachments:

Main features of the Public Sector Act 2009

PSM Consequential Amendment Act 2009

Archived Documents

Statutes Amendment (Consequential Amendments Act) 2009

KEY PLAYERS IN FINANCE – A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STATE PERSPECTIVE

Parliament

• Passes the Appropriation Bill to give effect to the budget for the coming financial year

Estimates Committee

• Undertakes detailed examination of the proposed Budget through the questioning by a Parliamentary Committee of the relevant Minister (supported by Departmental officers) prior to the passage of the Appropriation Bill.

Cabinet

• Approves the Budget on advice from the Treasurer and the Department of Treasury and Finance

Department of Treasury and Finance

• Has responsibility for the setting of financial policies, whole of Government financial arrangements (eg banking contracts, Taxation rulings etc) and the management of the relevant legislation
• Advises Cabinet on the setting of budget parameters, and manages for Cabinet the development of annual budgets.  Interacts with each Agency on budget proposals and assesses for Cabinet the viability and priority of the proposals within the agreed parameters.
• Prepares the Budget papers.
• Monitors the progress of the Budget throughout the Financial Year (both in the context of the Agencies’ performance and also from the perspective of external influences on the budget position) and advises the Treasurer and Cabinet on remedial action required.

Auditor-General

• Undertakes independent audits of Agency finances to ensure sound financial management practices and adherence to policy and legislation and of course to certify each agency’s annual financial statements.  Provides support for agencies through attendance and advice at Audit Committee deliberations

Budget and Finance Committee

• Established by the Legislative Council as a means of allowing direct questioning of senior Public Servants about budget and financial matters.  This is unlike Estimates Committee where questions can only be directed at or through the Minister

Chief Executives (supported by Finance Director)

• Responsible for the management of the Budget, the maintenance of the financial management compliance program and sign off of the audited Financial Statements

Commonwealth Government

• Provides a significant proportion of funding  to States by way of Specific Purpose Payments (SPPs) and National Partnership (NP) payments.
• SPPs are broad based payments (eg in Health or Education) and are subject to the delivery of agreed outcomes by the States.
• NPs are payments to facilitate and or reward States that deliver on nationally significant reforms (eg in preventative health or literacy and numeracy).