Department of Defence | Departments/Agencies

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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Columnists

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…

One cross-sector team prevails at the DHS cyberwar games, but everyone’s a winner

By Stephen Easton

Federal

Australians can have confidence that, in the event of a major cyber-attack, the Australian government and private organisations can work together effectively to stop hackers…

Senator questions AFP on intelligence officer raid

By Shannon Jenkins

Federal

Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick has called on the Australian Federal Police to explain whether a raid on the home of a spy agency officer…

PM asks APS to publish gift registers: News Corp achieves what the auditor-general could not

By Stephen Easton

Communications & Technology

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has decided Australian Public Service agencies should publish their lists of gifts and benefits.

New taskforce will fight foreign interference in universities

By Shannon Jenkins

Defence

Representatives from universities and security agencies will band together to form a new foreign-interference taskforce. The taskforce will be comprised 50% from the university sector…

Comcare charges Defence over serious workplace injuries; still faces calls to go after Home Affairs

By Stephen Easton

Federal

The Department of Defence faces three new charges over workplace health and safety breaches after an investigation by Comcare, but some lawyers continue to wonder…

South Australian companies lead defence industry innovation boost

By Jim Plouffe

Communications & Technology

Defence industry SMEs from South Australia have won more than $8 million in contracts to provide the Australian Defence Force with a capability edge.