Ticks and crosses in public service review

SCOTT MORRISON'S RESPONSE TO PUBLIC SERVICE REVIEW

Former Telstra boss David Thodey has handed down a landmark report into how to make the Australian Public Service (APS) deliver better services. The government has responded to 40 recommendations.

* $15 million for a project to build the APS capability and lift performance, and other reform work.

* APS to set performance targets.

* Departments will regularly seek external advice on their "performance and organisational health".

* Government has rejected the idea of legislating Westminster principles to clarify the role of the public service alongside the executive and parliament.

* Commonwealth Integrity Commission to reinforce integrity and ethics in the public sector, but the government has rejected giving the Australian Public Service Commissioner greater powers to investigate and seek integrity information.

* Consideration of whether to base senior executive service bureaucrats in regional areas to better work with local communities.

* Urgent audit of government information and community technology capabilities, risks and needs, as well as a long-term ICT blueprint.

* Government rejected the recommendation to remove the staffing cap, saying it is "working effectively".

* Number of departments to be reduced from 18 to 14 in line with a recommendation to ensure departments are "fit for purpose".

* Government has rejected a recommendation for "common core conditions and pay scales" for public servants, arguing the current system works.

* Government rejected a review of the Charter of Budget Honesty.

(Source: Government response to the Thodey review)