Terry Moran addresses Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management
 

On 28 October 2009, the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet,
Mr Terry Moran AO, addressed the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management annual conference.

His address explored the relationship between the Australian Government and the community sector and the ways in which they can work together to meet expectations.

The not-for-profit sector is a significant driver of the economic activity in Australia, said
Mr Moran, contributing $43 billion to Australia’s gross domestic product and accounting for
8 per cent of employment. The sector is also a major generator of social capital.

Mr Moran highlighted the community sector’s unique understanding of the way government policies are experienced on the ground and identified a number of strengths unique to the sector, including a capacity to be flexible, innovative, well connected, and have close relationships with citizens.

In light of these strengths, Mr Moran concluded that in his view, “government needs to find new ways to tap into this capacity – to engage earlier and more fully with community sector organisations.”  He also warned that while the government needs to refine and enhance the way they work with the sector, “we in government must at the same time guard against the transmission of our more bureaucratic tendencies.”

Mr Moran is personally looking at these issues through the advisory group on Reform of Australian Government Administration. 

The APS reform discussion paper can be found at the DPMC website. Submissions are open until 30 November.
The full speech is available at the DPMC website.