4.1. DLOs are public service employees appointed and employed by departments and allocated to ministers. DLOs provide a central point of contact and facilitate strong communication, efficient and effective flow of information and advice, and a cooperative working relationship between the department and the Minister and their office.
4.2. DLOs assist the Minister’s office to operate efficiently and effectively with the department. DLOs provide knowledge of departmental and governmental operations and an understanding of the relevant portfolio.
4.3. In some cases, it may be appropriate for more senior DLOs to be responsible for overseeing other departmental staff within the ministerial office. Such staff may be appointed to provide general office administration support where this is required.
4.4. DLOs are subject to the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees (VPS Code of Conduct), issued by the Victorian Public Sector Commission, and are required to observe the Public Sector Values. Departmental officers working in Ministers' offices must adhere to this code and must not function as an extension to the ministerial staff or act in ways that are, or could be perceived to be, politically partisan.
4.5. Human resource matters relating to DLOs are managed through their respective departments and they remain subject to departmental policies. A DLO’s reporting line is to the department as outlined in section 7. Like all public servants, they are not subject to direction by ministerial staff. DLOs should receive continued human resources and people management support from departments.
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