Secondment of Public Servants or Officers of Statutory Authorities to Ministers' Staffs

Ministers will be aware of the practice whereby Departmental/Liaison Officers are able to be seconded from Departments to provide advice to Ministers in relation to respective areas of their portfolios. This practice provides Ministers with a readily accessible source of information and also provides a useful developmental opportunity for the seconded Officers enhancing their career paths. It is important, however, that due restraint be exercised.

Accordingly, the following guidelines should apply when seconding Departmental Officers to Ministers' Staffs: