The new Public Sector Act 2009, took effect on 1 February 2010 and formed the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment. The Commissioner has issued a new Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector which looks to:
- guide and support public sector employees in all of their professional activities
- strengthen public confidence in the public sector
- earn respect from citizens, government and employees for the public sector as an institution which is critical to good government in South Australia
- set out standards of professional conduct expected of every public sector employee
The new code places more emphasis on guiding values and principles of behavior and less on punitive measures. Key values include:
- democratic values
- service, respect and courtesy
- honesty and integrity
- accountability
Code of Ethics, deals with the Professional Conduct Standards assists in defining what is expected or required of public sector employees in the areas of:
- professional and courteous behaviour
- public comment
- handling official information
- use of government/public resources
- outside employment
- acceptance of gifts and benefits
- criminal offences
- reporting unethical behaviour
