The Office of the Secretary (OTS) was established in January 2006 and is the key coordinating body for the portfolio on behalf of the Secretary and the Minister working in close collaboration with a wide range of internal and external areas to support the provision of departmental services. A key role of OTS is to support the Secretary, and to provide departmental leadership and direction to ensure the effective provision of services. The Office of the Secretary provides whole-of-department administration, guidance on corporate culture and leadership in major issues to be managed by the Department and the Minister. OTS provides a confidential and secure conduit to and from the Minister and the Secretary.
The role of OTS is based on a number of important principles including: high standards of honesty, integrity and conduct; equitable service to the public; provision of frank and comprehensive advice to the Secretary, the Minister and the Premier; a strong emphasis on responsiveness to the government, the Parliament and the community; and party-political impartiality.
An accurate assessment of the political sensitivity of matters is crucial to the roles undertaken by OTS as is ensuring that particular courses of action within the context of high political sensitivity conflicting interests and competing deadlines are adopted and implemented. Shifting priorities are frequently a feature and it is essential that political, social and organisational environment within which the Department operates is understood and communicated to clients and stakeholders. Communication involving liaison, negotiation and conflict resolution with local state and national agencies and external organisations is frequent.
OTS reports directly to the Secretary.
The Group is structured as follows:
Departmental Units
- Ministerial and Parliamentary Services
- Legislative Review and Statutory Services
- Communications
- Quality, Systems and Executive Services
- DHHS Northern Office