This year, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) celebrates 10 years of self government. As well as being our largest ‘city state’ and inland City, Canberra is very mindful of both its national and international importance as Australia’s Capital.
In its first decade of self government, the ACT has undergone a metamorphosis. Administered by a Federal Government Department up until 1989, Canberra was often described as an attractive, well designed City. However, at the same time it was viewed as a public service town, somewhat boring and lacking vitality or soul.
Administration by the Commonwealth Government was too removed from the people who lived and worked in Canberra, so the election of the first ACT Legislative Assembly in 1989 started the process to change all this.
Major public sector reform, particularly over the past five years, has seen a totally new approach. The ACT Government delivers a combination of services to its 330,000 residents usually provided by both State Government and Local Government.
Services include health, education, law courts, public transport, water, sewerage and power, fire, ambulance and SES, town planning, waste collection and recycling, infrastructure provision, recreation facilities, community services, parks and gardens, libraries, childcare, kindergartens and so forth.
Ten years ago, when Canberra was without local representation, it was a ‘bureaucratic town’, introverted or very inward looking. Chief Minister, Kate Carnell, aptly describes this as the ‘circling of the wagons approach’.
In 1999, the ACT Public Service is just the opposite. It is outward looking and very much at the cutting edge of best practice in public administration.
Focusing on outcomes rather than processes; using a strategic planning approach for the long, medium and short term; being the first public sector organisation in Australia to introduce accrual accounting; adhering to National Competition Policy of market testing to deliver value for money; having in place stringent ethical standards; promoting regional cooperation with neighbouring Local Governments; and being totally customer focused, all has led to the ACT being seen as a leader in open, accountable and transparent government.
For the people who live or work in Canberra, these reforms have led to a City now full of life, vitality and character. The continual growth of visitors is further testament to the metamorphosis Canberra has experienced.
