GG 59/12
28 October 2012
The nation’s Asia-literate public sector will play a major leadership role in the Asian century, the Minister for the Public Service and Integrity Gary Gray said today.
By 2025, one-third of board members of Commonwealth bodies and one-third of the senior leadership of the Australian Public Service (APS 200) will have deep experience in and knowledge of Asia.
Mr Gray said the Australian Public Service would lead by example in meeting the challenges and opportunities presented by the growth of Asian economies.
He said the Gillard Government’s Australia in the Asian Century White Paper released today was a roadmap for the country to capitalise on strong economic growth in the region. This will require a whole-of-Public-Service leadership effort.
“Both the public and private sectors have significant roles to play if Australia is to make the most of the Asian century,” Mr Gray said.
“Like the top 200 companies, we will boost Asia-literacy on the boards of all Commonwealth bodies as well as among the senior executive leadership group.”
A deeper understanding of the region means better integrated policy analysis, problem‑solving and implementation across domestic and international matters.
Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Dr Ian Watt and the Australian Public Service Commissioner Mr Stephen Sedgwick will develop a strategy to ensure the Government can build on existing capabilities to meet future needs.
“In developing this capability strategy, the APS will aim to embed practices that deepen Asia relevant knowledge and expertise,” Mr Gray said.
“At the minister level, we’ll build stronger relationships through more regular bilateral and regional engagement with our counterparts in Asia to pursue policy outcomes.
“The Australian Public Service and Australian institutions, including cultural institutions, will need to have deeper knowledge and expertise of countries in our region, and have greater capacity to integrate domestic and international issues.
“The Australian Public Service and the corporate sector will need to work together to build on our skills and understanding of the region with more effective interaction at all levels—political, cultural, social and business—to improve policy development and implementation.”
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