Conduct and Ethics Manual

Management Strategy, Conduct and Diversity Section, Conduct and Ethics Unit

December 2010

Introduction

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff consistently maintain high standards of professionalism, probity, accountability and conduct. The department can maintain these high standards by continuing to commit to a strong ethical culture, where staff have a clear understanding of the ethical implications of their actions, based on:

To support this, the department has created this Conduct and Ethics Manual.

This Manual is the principal source of departmental guidance and policies on conduct and ethics issues for all categories of staff- APS (i.e. A-based) employees, LES employees and contractors. Staff are also encouraged to seek advice on conduct and ethics issues from the department's Conduct and Ethics Unit.

The department expects a high degree of accountability from all staff. Accountability is one of the foundation values of the APS, helping to define its role as a key institution in Australia's democratic system. Ethically sound decisions are made by exercising good judgment and by ensuring appropriate reflection, disclosure and discussion about any action which may be in conflict with our Codes of Conduct or with departmental instructions. While recognising that in ethical decision-making, there is sometimes no one "right" answer for a situation, we should nevertheless strive for an answer which is justifiable, accords with our Codes of Conduct and meets departmental objectives.

At the same time, the department has a responsibility to provide staff with effective guidance and procedures for managing conduct and ethics questions which arise in the workplace. The Manual supports these aims.

We work in an international environment where differences in cultural norms and legal systems can complicate conduct and ethics issues. The department's policies, guidance and directions, including the DFAT Code of Conduct for Overseas Service and the LES Code of Conduct at each post overseas, are designed to ensure that appropriate standards of conduct are maintained in all the different environments where we operate.

The department takes misconduct very seriously. Alleged misconduct is investigated promptly and fairly. When appropriate, sanctions are applied to individuals who are found to have breached the APS Code of Conduct, the DFAT Code of Conduct for Overseas Service or a post's LES Code of Conduct.

We all share an important responsibility to support and promote a workplace culture which does not tolerate unethical behaviour. This Manual is an important tool in achieving our shared objective.

Dennis Richardson

Secretary

December 2010

Document Revision History

Version Number Date Revised by (name & position) Changes (location & nature)
1 16/12/09 DIR MCS  
2 08/10 A/g DIR MCS
  • Revised version of Chapter 11
  • New guidance on managing requests from Ministers’ offices (Chapter 8)
3 10/10 EO MCS Revised Ch 8 to take account of APSC/Ethics Advisory Committee comments
4 12/10 Ethics Committee Manual revised and Version 2 approved
5 03/11 EO MCS Revision to Whistleblowing in DFAT section 10.2.12
6 11/11 EO MCS Amendments to sections 11.2.24; 11.1.45; 11.1.52(a) to clarify operation of these provisions.

Document Archive

The original version of this Manual and all superseded versions of this Manual are archived in MCS and CEU.

The Administrative Circulars replaced by the original version of this Manual were: