The Good Governance for Boards and Committees section of the Public Sector Commission website establishes a framework of what good governance looks like for a public sector board. It provides statements of principles, and supports these with explanatory information to give them practical meaning, and are applicable cross the wide range of the boards or committees found in the Western Australian public sector.
The Principles of Good Corporate Governance for Western Australian Public Sector Boards and Committees have been developed following extensive consultation across the public sector, and have sought to address the issues identified by those involved with public sector boards. They have also been developed in consideration of current best practice and the ongoing challenges facing the public sector and its boards in relation to accountability, probity and transparency.
With a focus on bringing together existing requirements and good practice in a useful and accessible form, the Principles do not impose new obligations. They provide practical information for multiple audiences, including boards and their members, and agencies and can be applied in a way which is relevant to individual circumstances.
These Principles and the supporting resources provide assistance to the public sector in meeting the challenges faced by boards in the course of their work and will assist in ensuring the community maintains confidence in the work of these boards.
How to use the good governance guide
This guide is structured around:
principles, which provide the high level statements to guide boards;
guidelines, which provide specific guidance on particular topics or issues contained within a Principle, and
a range of application aids. These aids provide practical assistance to boards on how to complete a task identified within the principles or guidelines. They include specific instructions, tools and templates. There are links to key legislation and to other sites and sources of information within the public sector which contain important or useful information on good governance.
Why is good corporate governance important?
Corporate governance refers to the systems and practices by which organisations are directed and managed. Effective and meaningful corporate governance is a critical component in the accountability chain, enabling Ministerial oversight and accountability for the performance of a public sector organisation.
It also provides a framework for the proper management of an organisation, to support the performance of the organisation and the achievement of its required outcomes for the benefit of the Western Australian community.
Public sector boards fulfill a vital role in achieving effective corporate governance.
Boards need to employ good corporate governance practices in order to ensure they effectively perform their function and responsibilities and comply with their obligations. Boards with a governing role also support good governance within their public sector organisation through the provision of oversight, direction and advice to the organisation.
The systems and practices which support good governance for boards may change over time as their individual circumstances change. There is an ongoing obligation on boards to monitor and review their systems, practices, and governance framework to ensure that those systems and practices remain relevant and current to the board's situation.
Key legislation impacting on boards and committees
In addition to the enabling legislation of the board or committee, there is also a range of legislation in which may apply to the board or its members, depending on the nature of the Board. The above list is not exhaustive of all the obligations that may apply to boards and/or their members. There may be other obligations under the common law or other legislation, including the enabling legislation, or there may be subsequent legislation which supersedes the legislation specified here. :
Good governance for boards & committees
The Good Governance for Boards and Committees section of the Public Sector Commission website establishes a framework of what good governance looks like for a public sector board. It provides statements of principles, and supports these with explanatory information to give them practical meaning, and are applicable cross the wide range of the boards or committees found in the Western Australian public sector.
The Principles of Good Corporate Governance for Western Australian Public Sector Boards and Committees have been developed following extensive consultation across the public sector, and have sought to address the issues identified by those involved with public sector boards. They have also been developed in consideration of current best practice and the ongoing challenges facing the public sector and its boards in relation to accountability, probity and transparency.
With a focus on bringing together existing requirements and good practice in a useful and accessible form, the Principles do not impose new obligations. They provide practical information for multiple audiences, including boards and their members, and agencies and can be applied in a way which is relevant to individual circumstances.
These Principles and the supporting resources provide assistance to the public sector in meeting the challenges faced by boards in the course of their work and will assist in ensuring the community maintains confidence in the work of these boards.
How to use the good governance guide
This guide is structured around:
Why is good corporate governance important?
Corporate governance refers to the systems and practices by which organisations are directed and managed. Effective and meaningful corporate governance is a critical component in the accountability chain, enabling Ministerial oversight and accountability for the performance of a public sector organisation.
It also provides a framework for the proper management of an organisation, to support the performance of the organisation and the achievement of its required outcomes for the benefit of the Western Australian community.
Public sector boards fulfill a vital role in achieving effective corporate governance.
Boards need to employ good corporate governance practices in order to ensure they effectively perform their function and responsibilities and comply with their obligations. Boards with a governing role also support good governance within their public sector organisation through the provision of oversight, direction and advice to the organisation.
The systems and practices which support good governance for boards may change over time as their individual circumstances change. There is an ongoing obligation on boards to monitor and review their systems, practices, and governance framework to ensure that those systems and practices remain relevant and current to the board's situation.
Key legislation impacting on boards and committees
In addition to the enabling legislation of the board or committee, there is also a range of legislation in which may apply to the board or its members, depending on the nature of the Board. The above list is not exhaustive of all the obligations that may apply to boards and/or their members. There may be other obligations under the common law or other legislation, including the enabling legislation, or there may be subsequent legislation which supersedes the legislation specified here. :
Other general requirements may be imposed by:
Documents
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