7Public sector values

7 Public sector values (1) The following are the public sector values— (a) **responsiveness**—public officials should demonstrate responsiveness by— (i) providing frank, impartial and timely advice to the Government; and (ii) providing high quality services to the Victorian community; and (iii) identifying and promoting best practice; (b) **integrity**—public officials should demonstrate integrity by— (i) being honest, open and transparent in their dealings; and (ii) using powers responsibly; and (iii) reporting improper conduct; and (iv) avoiding any real or apparent conflicts of interest; and (v) striving to earn and sustain public trust of a high level; (c) **impartiality**—public officials should demonstrate impartiality by— (i) making decisions and providing advice on merit and without bias, caprice, favouritism or self-interest; and (ii) acting fairly by objectively considering all relevant facts and fair criteria; and (iii) implementing Government policies and programs equitably; (d) **accountability**—public officials should demonstrate accountability by— (i) working to clear objectives in a transparent manner; and (ii) accepting responsibility for their decisions and actions; and (iii) seeking to achieve best use of resources; and (iv) submitting themselves to appropriate scrutiny; (e) **respect**—public officials should demonstrate respect for colleagues, other public officials and members of the Victorian community by— (i) treating them fairly and objectively; and (ii) ensuring freedom from discrimination, harassment and bullying; and (iii) using their views to improve outcomes on an ongoing basis; S. 7(1)(f) amended by No. 43/2006 s. 47(Sch. item 5.1). (f) **leadership**—public officials should demonstrate leadership by actively implementing, promoting and supporting these values; S. 7(1)(g) inserted by No. 43/2006 s. 47(Sch. item 5.2). (g) **human rights**—public officials should respect and promote the human rights set out in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities by— (i) making decisions and providing advice consistent with human rights; and (ii) actively implementing, promoting and supporting human rights. S. 7(2) amended by No. 80/2006 ss 8(1), 24(1). (2) Subject to subsections (3) and (3A), a public sector body Head must promote the public sector values to public officials employed in the body and ensure that any statement of values adopted or applied by the body is consistent with the public sector values. (3) Subsection (2), in its application to a special body or with respect to a person employed under Division 3 of Part 6 by a public service body Head, does not extend to the public sector values referred to in subsections (1)(a)(i) and (1)(c)(iii). S. 7(3A) inserted by No. 80/2006 s. 8(2). (3A) Subsection (2), in its application to a public entity that exercises functions that are of a quasi-judicial nature or with respect to a director of such a public entity in the exercise of such functions, does not extend to the public sector values referred to in subsections (1)(a)(i) and (1)(c)(iii). (4) Nothing in subsection (1)— (a) creates in any person any legal right or gives rise to any civil cause of action; or (b) subject to subsection (5), affects the rights or liabilities of— (i) a public official; or (ii) a public sector body. (5) Subsection (4) does not affect the status or enforcement in accordance with this Act of a code of conduct or any other instrument created under this Act that is based on the public sector values.