PRESS RELEASE: Institute of Public Administration Australia committed to promoting integrity and trust in the public service in light of robodebt findings
YOUR IPAA 
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Acknowledging the impact of the robodebt scheme, the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) will continue to work with the public sector to strengthen integrity and rebuild trust.
The recent Royal Commission report into robodebt delivered a scathing review of the scheme and how it had “failed the public interest.”
As an organisation dedicated to excellence and pride in the public service, IPAA takes the findings of this report very seriously.
“IPAA recognises the tremendous impact that this scheme has had on the lives of many Australians. The need for compassion for those affected cannot be underscored enough,” IPAA National Executive Director Caroline Walsh said.
“We welcome the report’s recommendations and want to support the public sector in continually strengthening its integrity frameworks and practices. It is a sobering read for those of us who are committed to the public good and public service.”
“IPAA remains committed to promoting integrity and the principles of good governance, including giving frank and fearless advice. Australia’s public services are generally held in high regard around the world but maintaining that requires ongoing focus on integrity, trust, and capability.”
According to Ms Walsh, recent comments by Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, now APS Commissioner, on the Work with Purpose podcast series showcase that there is genuine commitment in the public service to tackle the issues raised in the robodebt report.
Dedicated to professional excellence in Australia’s public sector, IPAA has a role to play in helping the public service rebuild, whilst reminding public servants to not lose faith in their work.
“We know that the findings of the robodebt report have distressed many public servants because they genuinely care for the communities they serve and want to do their best work possible,” Ms Walsh said.
“IPAA deeply values the work that public servants do. We’re keen to keep working with public services across Australia to continue to deliver programs that support them to do so.”
“We also invite public sector employees to actively engage with IPAA on integrity issues.”
Some of our IPAA resources concerning integrity and trust in the public sector:
Strengthening integrity by default in the public service | IPAA ACT
Work with Purpose | Rebuilding trust and integrity after robodebt |IPAA ACT
2023 Garran Oration: Trust, accountability and integrity | IPAA National
Staying impartial in the public sector | IPAA Victoria
Navigating ethical dilemmas| IPAA NSW
Ethical decision making in the NSW public sector | IPAA NSW
Ethics, probity, process and good decisions for NGOs | IPAA NSW
Integrity and accountability | IPAA WA
Integrity and accountability in public administration | IPAA SA
The nature of reform and integrity in public purpose work – Irene Longman Oration 2022 | IPAA QLD
Integrity and ethical leadership program | IPAA Victoria
For media inquiries please contact Julia Ahrens, IPAA National communications and engagement manager, via Julia.ahrens@act.ipaa.org.au or on 0402 190 656.
The Institute of Public Administration Australia is a member-based organisation promoting excellence and pride in public service across Australia. It is nonpartisan, apolitical and not-for-profit.