How we define accountability and responsibility
A person is:
- accountable if they have to answer for the consequences of a matter or speak to the result
- responsible if they’ve been asked to get something done or achieve a goal.
Lines of accountability in our system of government
In Victoria’s system of government, the government is accountable to the people of Victoria through the process of parliamentary elections.
Ministers are:
- accountable to the Premier as leader of the government.
- accountable to parliament for the actions and outcomes of the departments, administrative offices and public entities in their portfolios.
- accountable for their responsibilities as members of parliament.
Departmental secretaries are:
- accountable to their ministers for their departmental responsibilities
- employed by the Premier.
Departmental employees, including Departmental Liason Officers, are:
- employed by and accountable to their secretary.
Administrative office heads:
- are accountable to the departmental secretary for the general conduct and management of the administrative office
- may report directly to ministers
- are employed by the Premier.
Administrative office employees are:
- employed by and accountable to their administrative office head.
The board of a public entity is:
- accountable to the minister for the exercise of its functions unless otherwise specified in legislation.
Public entity chief executive officers (CEOs) are:
- generally accountable to their board or board chair.
Public entity employees are:
- generally accountable to their CEO.
Ministerial advisers are:
- accountable to their minister
- employed by the Premier
- bound by the Ministerial Staff Code of Conduct.