| Public Service Act 1999 [1] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of Australia | |
| Commenced | 5 December 1999 |
| Introduced by | Howard government |
| Status: In force | |
The Public Service Act 1999 (Public Service Act, 1999 (Cth)) is an Australian law, passed in 1999 by the Howard government that regulates the federal Australian Public Service.
The Act regulates the employment of federal public servants in Australia.[1]
The Act establishes obligations of the Australian Government toward its public servants, and establishes the code of conduct to which they must adhere, including a requirement that they act apolitically, and not disseminate or exploit government information without authorization.[1] It also establishes requirements that public servants be hired on merit.[1]
Prior to the public service act, other statutes were in force to ensure that public service selection would be on merit.[2] Such statutes arose historically as an effort to eliminate the spoils system from democratic politics.[2]
The Act also established the office of the Australian Public Service Commissioner[3] and the Merit Protection Commissioner as well as the Australian Public Service Commission.
- ^ a b c Comcare v Banerji [2019] HCA 23
- ^ a b Comcare v Banerji [2019] HCA 23 at Gageler's judgement
- ^ Public Service Act, 1999 (Cth)