John Faulkner (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

No, it does not. I want to place clearly on the record that the government believes that it and the Australian people are very well served by its public servants, who, with remarkably few exceptions, are honest and hardworking and take extremely seriously the obligations placed on them by the APS Values and the code of conduct set out in the Public Service Act. I hope senators all around the chamber will acknowledge that. I know that Senator Mason does, and I appreciate that.

I think we should never be complacent about these things. The legislation provides a sound framework, but it is the right culture and leadership which matter and which, in all organisations, public and private, need to be carefully nurtured and consistently reinforced. I might say that in honouring this important election commitment the government is providing the means to enhance— (Time expired)