Australia supports Indonesia’s public sector reform agenda

International experts in Jakarta this week will share their experiences to help improve service delivery, increase public trust and stamp out corruption in Indonesia’s public sector.

Experts include the head of Australia’s public service commission, Mr. Stephen Sedgwick, who will talk about Australia’s reform experiences with Indonesian ministers, public servants, research institutes and university students.

“Mr. Sedgwick was invited by the Government of Indonesia to share lessons learnt and to strengthen Australia’s relationship with Indonesia’s leaders,” said the Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Greg Moriarty.

“Australia began reforming its public sector several decades ago in response to increased demands for better services by the Australian people. We hope these experiences are valuable to other governments, although we know there’s no “one-size-fits-all” approach to public sector challenges,” added Ambassador Moriarty.

This government-to-government exchange comes just two weeks after President Yudhoyono’s state-of-the-nation address highlighted corruption eradication, bureaucratic reform and good governance as the public’s main concerns for their government.

“A strong public service is essential for any country striving to provide quality services to its people and develop its economy,” said Ambassador Moriarty.

AusAID is strengthening Indonesia’s public service through a range of activities including support for transparent and competitive recruitment and the production of public service announcements that direct people to the ombudsman if there are complaints about public sector service delivery.

Anti-corruption and good governance work is a key focus of AusAID’s $578 million (Rp 5,37 trillion) a year program in Indonesia. Good governance is a central element in infrastructure, health, rural development, economic governance, law and elections projects.

Experts will present at an AusAID-funded three-day public sector reform exhibition, conference and stakeholder meeting being held in Jakarta from 27-29 August and opened by the Minister for Administrative Reform, Mr Azwar Abubakar.

Media inquiries:
Rendy Djauhari, Public Affairs, AusAID Indonesia, 08111904823