Office of the Public Sector Standards Commissioner

Good Governance

Nine Governance Principles

Principle 8: Communication

The organisation communicates with all parties in a way that is accessible, open and responsive.

'Sunlight is the best disinfectant', as US Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis famously observed. To achieve this and to ensure an organisation's accountability, open, accurate and responsive communication is essential. Good communication is also fundamental to promote citizens' trust in government.

Standards (what is required?):

8.1

Communication policies ensure the organisation's communication is open, accessible and responsive.

Mandatory requirements | Guidelines | Good practice examples

8.2

Policies ensure information is disseminated through correct channels, in a timely manner and to the right target group.

Mandatory requirements | Guidelines | Good practice examples

Operations (how do you achieve it?):

8.3

Processes ensure proactive, transparent and responsive internal and external communication.

Mandatory requirements | Guidelines | Good practice examples

8.4

Processes assist in complying with legislation on record keeping, public interest disclosure and freedom of information, in safeguarding the confidentiality and integrity of information, and in preventing unauthorised, false or premature disclosure.

Mandatory requirements | Guidelines | Good practice examples

Monitoring (how do you know you are meeting the standards?):

8.5

An audit strategy exists to monitor compliance with communication policies and strategies.

Mandatory requirements | Guidelines | Good practice examples

Reporting (how do you let the right people know?):

 

The organisation's annual report identifies compliance levels against the relevant standards.

Annual compliance reporting addresses compliance with WA's requirements for good governance.

All material matters are reported to the relevant oversight bodies.

Mandatory requirements | Guidelines | Good practice examples

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Key resources


Disclaimer

OPSSC is providing the Good Governance Guide and the related Maturity Model free of charge to the WA public sector and the wider community. OPSSC, on behalf of the State of Western Australia, retains all intellectual property rights. OPSSC must be properly acknowledged whenever reference is made to the Good Governance Guide, the Maturity Model, other products of the Good Governance Guide or parts thereof. None of these products or parts thereof may be used for the purpose of generating profit for yourself, your organization or a third party.

Page last updated: September 25 2009