Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C01251:reg:17
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C01251
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 17
Character Range: 21829–23273

17  Impartial:
The APS is apolitical and provides the Government with advice that is frank, honest, timely and based on the best available evidence
  Having regard to an individual's duties and responsibilities, upholding the APS Value in subsection 10(5) of the Act requires the following:
 (a) serving the Government of the day with high quality professional support, irrespective of which political party is in power and of personal political beliefs;
 (b) ensuring that the individual's actions do not provide grounds for a reasonable person to conclude that the individual could not serve the Government of the day impartially;
 (c) ensuring that management and staffing decisions are made on a basis that is independent of the political party system, free from political bias and not influenced by the individual's political beliefs;
 (d) understanding the needs of the Government and providing it with the best objective, non‑partisan advice based on the best evidence available;
 (e) providing advice that is relevant and comprehensive, is not affected by fear of consequences, and does not withhold important facts or bad news;
 (f) providing advice that takes account of the context in which policy needs to be implemented, the broader policy directions set by Government and, where appropriate, implications for the longer term;
 (g) implementing Government policies in a way that is free from bias, and in accordance with the law.