Capability Review identifies significant organisational opportunities for the ABS (Media Release)

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MEDIA RELEASE

9 December 2014
Embargo: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
175/2014

Capability Review identifies significant organisational opportunities for the ABS


The 2013 Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) Capability Review of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has called for the ABS to make fundamental changes and identified significant organisational opportunities.

The review findings, released on 5 December 2014, also confirm the strong foundation of the ABS and its ability to achieve change.

Acting Australian Statistician, Jonathan Palmer, said he welcomes the review’s findings.

“I welcome these findings and the opportunity they bring to strengthen our organisation,” Mr Palmer said.

"The review confirms the ABS is a world class statistical organisation with a strong foundation and highly skilled, engaged and committed staff.

“However, it also clearly reaffirms the need to transform not only our systems and infrastructure, but also our culture, attitudes, and way of operating,” Mr Palmer said.

In response to the review and to help deliver change, the ABS is launching a Capability Action Plan (CAP), which outlines the actions that will be implemented in light of the review’s recommendations.

“The review will help us prepare for the future. We need to be more agile and flexible with healthy stakeholder relationships that serve to maximise the value of government-held information,

“The ABS agrees with all the identified areas for improvement and supports the recommendations,” Mr Palmer said.

The ABS Capability Action Plan is available at www.abs.gov.au

Media notes:

  • Media requests and interviews - contact the ABS Communications Section on 1300 175 070.
  • The APSC Capability Review is available on the APSC website www.apsc.gov.au