Movers & Shakers: New DPM&C appointments, bureau formalises new director Friday November 19, 2021 By Jackson Graham Federal New lieutenant-governor of Victoria, new Children’s Court president, NWSA appoints policy panel, and more.
Premium Insights and analysis COAG changes hang in the balance as politicians take aim at Secretary Gaetjens Monday October 25, 2021 By Melissa Coade Culture Reading the views of minor party members of the senate committee, passage of the COAG amendment bill for law reforms through the senate is in…
Plan to ‘kill’ proposal that will give national cabinet immunity from scrutiny Monday September 27, 2021 By Melissa Coade Communications & Technology Senator Rex Patrick has proposed an amendment that will challenge keeping the deliberations of the national cabinet secret.
Rex Patrick wins fight for national cabinet documents Friday August 6, 2021 By Shannon Jenkins Federal Rex Patrick has won his legal fight to access national cabinet documents, after a Federal Court judge decided the documents were not ‘an official record…
PM&C hires lawyer to fight attempts to access national cabinet documents Thursday March 11, 2021 By Shannon Jenkins Federal In September, independent senator Rex Patrick launched proceedings in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal after his freedom of information requests relating to national cabinet meeting minutes…
Premium The Briefing The Briefing: Information Commissioner refers Senator Rex Patrick’s national cabinet challenge to the AAT Monday October 5, 2020 By Chris Woods Editors' Picks The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner Angelene Falk has ruled that Independent Senator Rex Patrick's legal fight over blocked national cabinet documents be referred…
Premium Insights and analysis Public servants tell harrowing tales of harassment after a mention in an FOI release. Their leaders want to shield them from the trolls, but anonymity comes with a price Wednesday September 25, 2019 By Stephen Easton Career Advice The Australian government's guidelines for dealing with Freedom of Information requests help balance many of the competing interests that come with having a democratic, accountable…
Nope, freedom of political communication does not override the public service rules Wednesday August 7, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal The High Court has ruled that federal public servants have no right to political expression that overrides their legal obligations to be impartial and uphold…
Centrelink rule for couples poses risk for women experiencing domestic violence Monday July 22, 2019 By Shannon Jenkins Federal Centrelink’s couple rule exposes victims of domestic violence to their perpetrator and can "entrap" women in violent relationships, according to a new report from Australia’s…
Appointment of ACT Integrity Commissioner, take two: AEC chairman pleases all politicians Wednesday May 15, 2019 By Stephen Easton Australian Capital Territory The ACT's first independent public sector integrity commissioner will be retired judge and Australian Electoral Commission chair Dennis Cowdroy.
'Low numbers': Tax Office responds to critical small business report Tuesday April 30, 2019 By David Donaldson Federal Debt recovery actions against small businesses with disputed debts are rare and only occur under "exceptional circumstances", the Australian Tax Office has said in a…
ATO too aggressive on small business debt, says Kate Carnell Monday April 29, 2019 By David Donaldson Federal The Australian Taxation Office is destroying some small businesses with its approach to debt repayments, argues Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnell.
Tax commissioner: ATO 'not the strong arm of an oppressive state' Friday March 15, 2019 By The Mandarin Economy & Industry Tax commissioner Chris Jordan has welcomed the Inspector-General of Taxation’s finding that the Australian Taxation Office did not embark on a “cash grab” using unfair…
Former AGD secretary to review compensation for public service mistakes Tuesday February 26, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal The Australian Taxation Office’s decisions on compensation for small business victims of “defective administration” are under review by a former head of the Attorney-General’s Department.
