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Department of Premier and Cabinet

Review of the Tasmanian State Service

The Tasmanian Government announced an independent Review of the Tasmanian State Service (the Review) in June 2019 to consider whether the governing framework of the State Service is fit for purpose for Tasmania today and into the future. The Review set out to identify structural, legislative and administrative improvements that will transform current structures, services and practices to deliver a more efficient and effective public service.

The scope of the Review was determined by the Terms of Reference which were subsequently amended in September 2020 and January 2021.

The Review commenced in November 2019, with Dr Ian Watt AC appointed as Independent Reviewer. Dr Watt has worked at the highest levels of the public service in Australia, including as Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and the head of the Australian Public Service.

The Independent Reviewer was supported by a Secretariat based in the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPAC).

Reports

The Interim Report was provided to the Premier and Treasurer and released in November 2020.

The Final Report was provided to the Premier and Treasurer and released in July 2021. The Final Report is complemented by a Summary Report and a series of Fact Sheets relating to Review’s 5 domains.

To view the Interim Report, Final Report, Summary Report or Fact Sheets visit the Reports page

Government Response

The Tasmanian Government supports, or supports in-principle, all 77 recommendations of the Independent Review of the State Service.

The Government will embark on an ambitious reform program across three stages, with each stage lasting 18 months and all recommendations being implemented within 5 years. The first stage of reforms will focus on:

  • Strengthening the mandate for, and enhancement to the capabilities of Service Tasmania across in-person, phone and on-line;
  • Increasing momentum in Digital Enhancement across the service, including the development of a whole-of-service Human Resource Information System and driving the modernisation and integration of core business systems through functional leadership. This will make it easier for the Tasmanian community to do business with the Government;
  • Supporting improved Service Delivery by continuing to implement a review and evaluation function for the State Service and enhancements to disaster risk assessment;
  • Re-writing all Employment Directions to ensure that they support a capable, agile and accountable service; and
  • Targeted reform of the State Service Act 2000, including renewing the State Service Principles to provide a new foundation for a modern service.

Stages 2 and 3 will build on these foundations, covering reforms across all other recommendations of the review. Implementation of the recommendations of the review will be led from the most senior levels of the State Service through the creation of a Secretaries Board, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The Government Response to the Independent Review of the Tasmanian State Service, including the detailed program of reforms is available to view and download.

Objectives

The Review will ensure the state service is fit-for-purpose for Tasmania today and into the future. The Review will make findings and recommendations to the Premier and Treasurer for consideration.

Roadmap to Reform

The Final Report made 77 recommendation across 5 domains:

  • principles and values
  • leadership
  • capability
  • workforce
  • service delivery.

Consultation

Review consultation was informed by the Terms of Reference. As part of the Review, the Independent Reviewer and the Review Secretariat undertook extensive consultation and held discussions with heads of agency and other senior executives, ministerial staff, public sector employees, the community services sector, business and industry groups, peak bodies, Aboriginal representatives, unions, the education/tertiary sector and with members of the business community.

Details of written Review submissions are included on the Consultation page.

Governance

There following four aspects of governance enabled the completion of the Review.

  • The Independent Reviewer led the Review and provided the Interim Report and Final Report to the Premier and Treasurer.
  • The Reference Group provided advice, community views and industry best practice to the Independent Reviewer to inform their deliberations and comprised members with public and private sector experience, together with a representative from the unions and the not-for-profit sector respectively.
  • Heads of Agency provided advice and suggestions to the Independent Reviewer, as did stakeholders.
  • A project team/review Secretariat was based in DPAC to support the Review.

For more information visit the Governance page.

Contact Information

If you have any queries regarding the Review of the Tasmanian State Service, please contact the Policy Branch:

Phone: (03) 6232 7550
Email: policy.admin@dpac.tas.gov.au