Department of Defence | Departments/Agencies

Feds plan to join up government using computer science, on the way to service delivery ‘Nirvana’

By Stephen Easton

Communications & Technology

The federal government wants to create whole-of-government information technology architecture to underpin its ambitious plans to improve service delivery.

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Columnists

APS State of the Service: a welcome return to a quality report despite some pre-Thodey verbal gymnastics

By Verona Burgess

Editors' Picks

Thankfully, the State of the Service Report for 2018-19 bears no resemblance to the embarrassing, stripped-back version of the previous few years, which barely paid…

SMEs take home more than one quarter of federal procurement contracts

By Shannon Jenkins

Economy & Industry

The value of federal government contracts going to small and medium enterprises has increased by almost 30%. Government procurement targets aim for at least 10%…

Future ADF service chiefs could be given 4-star rank to match departmental secretaries, global counterparts

By The Mandarin

Defence

Much like Queen Victoria was given a rank-bump to Empress of India in 1876 to match status with the other major powers of the day,…

Leaked documents reveal government sites covered in flammable cladding

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

At least 11 Commonwealth buildings have been found to contain flammable cladding, two years into a nationwide audit. Flammable material has been found in five…

Nothin’ suss: Defence denies ‘nepotism’ accusation in limited-tender procurement deal

By Stephen Easton

Defence

The Department of Defence says there was nothing wrong with a procurement official's decision to bypass a competitive tender process and award a contract to…

The Department of the Environment and Energy has been breaching the FOI Act for 10 months now

By Stephen Easton

Communications & Technology

The Department of the Environment and Energy has been in breach of the Freedom of Information Act for almost 10 months. That's how long it's…

Australian Hydrographic Office turns 100

By Shannon Jenkins

Defence

The Department of Defence’s national charting authority has started its birthday celebrations early. The Australian Hydrographic Office began its centenary celebrations in Wollongong last week,…

Defence mental health laws from 1982 to be changed

By Shannon Jenkins

Defence

A Defence leader has said the “gross inadequacy” of mental health legislation for Defence Force members must be overhauled. Director of Military Prosecutions Brigadier Jennifer…

Former Defence boss calls in favour for Raiders

By Shannon Jenkins

Culture

A throng of mandarins will be supporting the Canberra Raiders in their fight against the Sydney Roosters at the NRL grand final this weekend.

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Cans of worms and what the Auditor-General is thinking of digging up next. The hints are there for the taking

By Verona Burgess

Features

The Australian National Audit Office’s annual work program gives departments and agencies the chance to fix problems before the auditors arrive. Not everyone takes the…

The big beast that is the Defence Department

By Graeme Dobell

Defence

All Australian governments come to office with a deep admiration for the Oz military and some apprehension about the Department of Defence. The Defence Department,…

Catherine Roberts makes history as engineers fly high in Air Force

By Harley Dennett

Defence

The first engineer entrusted with the big-picture design of Air Force’s future is focussed on smart people, smart tech. Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts is the…

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Columnists

Deep links between the private sector and Defence have been to the nation’s benefit. But it’s complicated. The department has expanded its toolbox to manage this ‘revolving door’

By Bernard Keane

Defence

Former government employees with defence-related skills will end up working in defence-related industries, and that's been a concern to some in the Australian community about…

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Insights and analysis

Departmental media staff have an important job to do, but have been muzzled. Inside the public service, information spinners have stopped. Here’s how it happened

By Bernard Keane & Jennine Khalik

Engagement

Public affairs teams can range from a single person to massive teams of people. Their work and experience in government is very different to most…