tes the decline in APS employment since the 1980s.8 It shows the overall decline has halted in recent years, mainly due to increased employment in taxation (related to implementation of The New Tax System) and security-related initiatives (in areas such as Defence, Federal Police and Attorney-General's). 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997