Note for file: A report on recordkeeping in the Australian Public Service

MAC

The Management Advisory Committee (MAC) is a forum of Secretaries and Agency Heads established under the Public Service Act 1999 to advise the Australian Government on matters relating to the management of the Australian Public Service

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Media release: Issued 30 August 2007

The Australian Government’s Management Advisory Committee (MAC) today released its latest report, Note for File: A Report on Recordkeeping in the Australian Public Service.

The latest MAC report responds to the challenge faced by APS agencies in managing records given the complexity of information in the modern world, changes in technology and the sheer volume of material that agencies are required to process.

Note for File examines what recordkeeping is, and why it is important that the public service does it well. The report has a practical focus, emphasising that not all documents created in the APS are of high value or need to be managed corporately. Instead, it focuses on ‘important or useful’ records that are of real importance to the APS’s business and accountability requirements.

In welcoming the release of the report Ms Lynelle Briggs, the Australian Public Service Commissioner, said

‘… effective, efficient and practical recordkeeping practices are a key element in good governance and overall corporate health. Agencies with ineffective information management systems and poor knowledge transfer can be at risk of poor performance.’

Ms Briggs noted that appropriate recordkeeping was essential in the modern APS at all levels. At the whole of government level, the APS needs to ensure it has the best possible framework in place. Agency heads and corporate leaders need to ensure that practical systems are developed and implemented within agencies and all employees need to incorporate good recordkeeping practices in their day-to-day work.

The report was launched on Friday, 31 August, 2007 at the National Archives of Australia by Dr Peter Shergold, Chair of MAC. Mr Ross Gibbs, Director-General of the National Archives also discussed some new Archives products designed to assist agencies to meet their recordkeeping responsibilities.

To assist agencies with promoting the importance of effective recordkeeping, a summary guide has also been developed for wider circulation to APS employees. There are also eight case studies on the MAC website that provide practical examples of how agencies are tackling the challenges of good recordkeeping.

For more information contact Lorna Kunz at the APS Commission on 6202 3577 or by email: lorna.kunz@apsc.gov.au.