Why do government agencies need so many consultants? by Stephen Easton | 1 comment A public service HR consultant explains his view on why government agencies increasingly need to rely on big firms like the one he works for. It's a controversial trend, and he sometimes finds himself questioning how his expertise is used.
17 NSW agencies heed Peter Shergold’s call to recruit refugees by Stephen Easton | 0 comments The New South Wales public service is working to place newly arrived refugees in government jobs that could be vital stepping stones into their new lives, through arrangements set up by resettlement co-ordinator Peter Shergold.
NSW nudge teams set their sights on more complex public policy challenges by Stephen Easton | 0 comments Behavioural science teams in the New South Wales government are beginning to apply their approach to bigger, more complex public policy challenges. So far, nudge squads have mostly looked to influence citizen behaviour in simple, transactional situations.
Partner Content Accelerating transformation: here’s why information governance is the new black by Sonya Sherman | 0 comments A natural tension between freedom and control for public sector information assets can easily create obstacles to transformation and a shift to digital processes. Information governance empowers you to get the balance right. Here's how...
Partner Content Still frustrated by silos? Why integrating line-of-business functions can make all the difference. by Julian Bajkowski | 1 comment Government information and data stuck in separate systems remains one of the biggest barriers to digital transformation, productivity and efficiency. Fortunately, there are better, faster cheaper options than a ‘rip-and-replace’ approach.
Beyond individual merit: reimagining the mandarins of the future by Stephen Easton | 0 comments The individual merit principle has produced public service leaders that look and talk the same, think alike and mix in the same circles. Heads of service are hatching plans to overturn decades of affiliation bias.
Tom Burton: why government needs to reshape itself by Tom Burton | 0 comments To be relevant in the modern era, government must re-engage. It is the central agencies that must take up the task of redesigning government to regain its relevance and effectiveness.
What next for sacked NSW councils? GMs offered way to stay by Stephen Easton | 0 comments Council general managers who miss out on interim jobs at the helm of new merged councils may get 'deputy' jobs to avoid saddling ratepayers with the cost of paying out their entitlements.
NSW releases new social impact investment priority areas by David Donaldson | Out-of-home care for children, Aboriginal education and early childhood education have been named NSW's social impact investment priority areas for 2016, putting it ahead of other states in this emerging policy realm.
Unsolicited proposals: NSW on the right track a decade after AWH by Harley Dennett | 0 comments Wracked by a highly public ICAC investigation that became a byword for unscrupulous lobbying in NSW, DPC set out to build a new unsolicited proposals framework. The Audit Office has given it the thumbs up.
Events in February: UK cabinet lessons, WA policy talk, women and leadership by The Mandarin | 0 comments There's never much on in January but February offers a range of interesting events for people with an interest in the public sector including guests from the UK and CEDA's new women in leadership series.
Social impact bonds report card: learning lessons in NSW by Stephen Easton | Social benefit bonds are complex, expensive and limited in use. Federalism makes them even harder to arrange, with savings split between tiers of government. But there are other ways to harness investment.
The Stoner Sloth and challenges for government comms by Stephen Easton | 0 comments There are serious doubts among experts and the public that simple, old-fashioned anti-drugs ads are worth the time and money. Even when they are wildly popular — like the Stoner Sloth — the message may not get through.
BETA testing: new behavioural economics team in PM&C by Stephen Easton | 1 comment The federal government is establishing its own nudge unit, while the Assistant Cabinet Secretary hits back at Laura Tingle's "imagined golden era" critique of public service expertise.
Public sector leaders throwing open the doors by Harley Dennett | 0 comments PM&C boss Michael Thawley really has a problem with locked doors in public administration. He's not alone, with state leaders also wanting change.
