PERSONAL EXCELLENCE WORKSHOP - ALMOND BAY
July 06, 2004, 9:00 am

Welcome Remarks

Senator the Hon John Williams Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office and Ministry of the Civil Service, Permanent Secretary, Min of Public Works and Transport, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Chief Licensing Officer, participants of this workshop, members of the media, office colleagues.

Let me welcome you to this workshop which is part of government's ongoing strategy to assist in developing a 'more positive, professional and friendly approach' by public officers in providing our many and varied services to the public. You will hear me keep repeating that although organizational change is important there can be no meaningful change in public sector reform without accompanying attitudinal change.

The Office of Public Sector Reform is strongly promoting attitudinal change as well as assisting in the development of systems and procedures to expedite services to the public. Ministries and various agencies in government continue to seek our assistance with their strategic planning exercises, organizational reviews, registry systems and sectional improvements. We also assist in developing their customer charter programmes and providing counseling services to public officers and their immediate families through the Employee Assistance Programme. Over 1,200 public officers have utilized this programme with worthwhile results.

Since 1997 this Office has assisted in developing 23 strategic plans, 22 organisational reviews, 18 reviews and upgrades of systems, 6 customer service programmes (ongoing), continues to produce a quarterly newsletter, and has published some 8 guidelines and brochures in addition to 15 public sector related activities which are ongoing. With the introduction of the Performance Review Development System which speaks to individual ongoing assessment, development and implementation of work plans, the ongoing output of the Office across the board is being more effectively utilized in developing prerequisites for the system - such as strategic plans, job descriptions etc.

Along with the above we still make time to send out sympathy cards to our fellow public officers who have lost close relatives because we believe in the human touch which speaks to the heart of our humanized management and personal excellence programme.

This Office in particular and the public sector in general requires the support of everyone at all levels - not excluding the general public - in doing the right things, treating people right at all times and indicating appreciation of the good work and performances of our people in all areas of activity. We must find ways to avoid the sick outs, work stoppages, absenteeism, poor public relations and all those negative factors which degrade and dilute our public sector reform efforts. In my opinion we must consult more and cooperate more - especially with all those persons and organisations on whom our decisions will impact. We must also recognize that Public Sector Reform requires Personal Reform - develop positive attitudes and just do it. A recent study by Duke University found that people who enjoy their work live longer - assist in developing work friendly environments - you may live longer.

Thank you for your attention. I now invite the Hon Senator John Williams - Minister of State in the Prime Minister Office and Ministry of the Civil Service to give the feature address.