Department of Social Services | Departments/Agencies

Treasury dep sec switches to Social Services after long holiday and allegations

By Shannon Jenkins

Community & Social

Treasury deputy secretary Matt Flavel has quietly moved to the Department of Social Services following an investigation into his conduct. Flavel went on leave in…

The Facebook of government: watch the ‘vision’ of what Services Australia will deliver

By Stephen Easton

Communications & Technology

The Digital Transformation Agency has finally published a flashy promotional video showing the government's "vision" of Services Australia, a week after Minister for Government Services Stuart…

CPSU says government jobs could help drought-hit towns, panics over phantom ‘job cuts’

By Stephen Easton

Federal

The Community and Public Sector Union says the Morrison government's cuts to the Australian Public Service workforce have worsened the economic effects of the drought,…

A good plan, now for the execution: Australia’s ‘world-first’ cross-border child protection system

By Stephen Easton

Federal

A new information-sharing platform designed to aid cross-border collaboration between child protection agencies is expected to be up and running by mid-2020, following a joint…

Once more unto the socials: NDIS chief stays on Twitter, enjoys minister’s ‘absolute confidence’

By Stephen Easton

Communications & Technology

Rather than bunker down and abandon Twitter, Hoffman has quickly opened a new official account — @ndisceo — and addressed the issue in three opening…

NDIS chief deletes Twitter account, defends past activity: ‘I am not an anti-union Trump supporter’

By Stephen Easton

Federal

"I am not an anti-union Trump supporter," declared National Disability Insurance Agency chief executive Martin Hoffman last night, after his past social media use came…

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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…

New appointment to disability inquiry amid call for commissioners to stand down

By Shannon Jenkins

Community & Social

Roslyn Atkinson has been appointed as the seventh commissioner for the disability royal commission, as disability advocates have threatened to boycott the inquiry. The first…

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.

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Auditors take your seats! Old money becomes new money when it’s time to pay out election promises

By Verona Burgess

Economy & Industry

All political parties play fast and loose with spending promises during election campaigns but once the rubber of government hits the road afterwards, it is…

APS commissioner Peter Woolcott takes the field for NAIDOC footy comp, but AGD wins the day

By Stephen Easton

Australian Capital Territory

The Attorney-General's Department has won the 17th NAIDOC Week touch football carnival for public servants. Australian Public Service commissioner Peter Woolcott took the field this…

Labor promises to 'review' appointment of public servants to disability royal commission

By Stephen Easton

Australian Capital Territory

The Labor party has promised to review the appointment of two public servants to the Royal Commission into abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with…

Which agencies got a break from Senate estimates hearings?

By Stephen Easton

Federal

Labor is crying foul over their missed opportunities to quiz public servants after Senate estimates was cut short by the beginning of the election campaign…

Steps are being taken to address 'thin markets' for disability services

By Stephen Easton

Federal

The discussion has begun about what the government should do when supply doesn't meet demand for disability support services.

Why people with disabilities want former public servants to resign from royal commission

By Stephen Easton

Community & Social

Almost 60 groups representing people with disabilities say public servants are too conflicted to be effective as royal commissioners tasked with shining a light on…