By Staff Writer

For the first time, individuals within the public sector will be recognised for their achievements as the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) has opened nominations for its inaugural awards.

The IPAA Queensland Public Sector Excellence Awards are open to all individuals and teams across all local, state and federal government agencies and organisations.

IPAA Queensland chief executive officer Peter Rumph said the Awards represent an innovative initiative in the promotion of cross-government relations.

“These are the first Awards of their kind to recognise all public sector employees across local, state and federal government agencies,” he said.

“We were looking for a way to promote both individual and team excellence and also wanted to recognise the integral role they play in contributing to a flexible and sustainable public sector in Queensland.

For the first time, the Awards will not only recognise teams, but individuals.

“It is what government employees have been wanting,” Rumph said.

Complementing the B150 and Q150 celebrations across Queensland, the gala awards night will be held on Wednesday 7 October.

Nominations close 5pm Friday 4 September 2009. For more information visit www.qld.ipaa.org.au.