FEATURES

ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM FOR PRINCIPAL OFFICIALS

Constitutional Affairs Bureau

The new accountability system for principal officials was implemented on July 1 when the Chief Executive assumed his second term of office. Under the new system, the three Secretaries of Departments (the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Justice) and all Directors of Bureaux were appointed on non-civil service terms. Their term of office will not exceed that of the Chief Executive, who nominated them for appointment.

THE NEW SYSTEM

Principal officials under the accountability sysem are responsible for all aspects of their portfolios. They are responsible for determining policy objectives and goals, initiating, formulating, explaining, and defending government policies, as well as canvassing support from the public and the Legislative Council. They have to shoulder full responsibility for their respective portfolios and are accountable for the success or failure of their policies.

These principal officials are appointed to the Executive Council. They participate directly in policy-making at the highest
level and in prioritising the policy agenda. As such, the Government will be in a better position to coordinate its priority on policy implementation and allocation of resources.

The principal officials will be assisted by Permanent Secretaries (who are civil servants) within the respective bureau under their purview. The Permanent Secretaries work to these principal officials and assist the latter in formulating and
implementing policies, as well as administering their bureaux.

Under the accountability system, the distinctive qualities of the civil service, i.e., permanence, professionalism, meritocracy, and political neutrality are preserved. The integrity of the civil service system is maintained. Civil servants will continue to play the important role in implementing policies and putting forward proposals.

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER

The new system will provide many benefits to the Government and the civil service, the Legislative Council and to the public.

The new arrangement is more flexible in that it enables the Chief Executive to select the most suitable persons from within and outside the civil service as principal officials. Under the new system, competent, committed and innovative persons can be recruited to join the Government and serve the public.

Principal officials under the accountability system will no longer be employed on civil service terms, and can truly assume political responsibility. This fulfils the expectation of the public.

They will be responsible for their respective policy portfolios and be directly accountable to the Chief Executive.
Principal officials will have clear demarcation of duties and well-defined powers and responsibilities.

Implementation of the accountability system will strengthen the importance attached to public opinions and sentiments and foster a culture of enhanced accountability. Principal officials have to take greater initiative to liaise with the public and formulate policies, which meet their needs and aspirations. They will have to actively disseminate information
through the media and explain policies to the public so that the latter could have a better understanding of the rationale of
government policies. This will be conducive to building up consensus in the community.

As far as the civil service is concerned, our much cherished civil service system will be maintained. There will continue to be a permanent, stable, meritocratic, professional, clean and politically neutral civil service. The Secretary for the Civil Service, who is selected from within the civil service, is a member of the Executive Council. This ensures that the interests and concerns of the civil service are fully represented and taken into account before any major decision is taken by the Government.

The introduction of the accountability system will bring about a more open, accountable and effective government, and at the same time the strengths and core values of the civil service system will be preserved.

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Last updated on 30 July 2002