Premium Insights and analysis Out in the cold: Treasury’s losing policy influence over the 20-teens prime ministers Wednesday January 15, 2020 By Paul Tilley Editors' Picks The reasons for Treasury’s waxing and waning influence on public policy are embedded in the nature of the relationship between the public service and the… Read more
5 things MYEFO tells us about the economy and the nation’s finances Tuesday December 17, 2019 By Danielle Wood & Kate Griffiths Economy & Industry As we come to the end of 2019, you’d be forgiven for being confused about the health of the economy. Monday’s Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal… Read more
Premium Expert briefings To ensure nobody was left behind, Steven Kennedy opened his department doors to dozens of partner organisations. Digital services alone couldn’t reach all in need Friday September 6, 2019 By Stephen Easton Community & Social There is “ample space” for cooperation between all Australian governments, says the new Commonwealth Treasury secretary, and he urges public servants to make… Read more
PM asks APS to publish gift registers: News Corp achieves what the auditor-general could not Tuesday September 3, 2019 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology Prime Minister Scott Morrison has decided Australian Public Service agencies should publish their lists of gifts and benefits. Read more
Premium Insights and analysis The great Treasury juggle: providing the minister with fearless advice (even if it causes discomfort), while keeping the government's political strategists happy Monday August 5, 2019 By Paul Tilley Features Paul Tilley tracks how Treasury’s role has evolved over its history, from the government’s bookkeeper at Federation to the economic policy agency of today. His… Read more
Premium Columnists The APS needs to radically and quickly overhaul what 'service delivery' means to them. That should start with genuinely listening to their front-line people Friday August 2, 2019 By Verona Burgess Features Much of the APS needs to lose the attitude that policy is the apex of public administration and service delivery is done by lesser mortals,… Read more
Who's in line to lead ASIO? Major moves draw congratulations, trepidation and speculation Monday July 29, 2019 By Stephen Easton Economy & Industry Last week's major movements at the top of the Australian Public Service last week were followed by tributes, trepidation and congratulations, as well as a… Read more
Phil Gaetjens promoted to head of PM&C, Dr Steven Kennedy to lead Treasury Thursday July 25, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Treasury secretary Phil Gaetjens will lead the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from September, and be replaced by the secretary of the Department… Read more
What’s driving low wages growth in Australia? Thursday July 18, 2019 By Meghan Quinn Economy & Industry Here is a transcript of Meghan Quinn's speech delivered to the Australian Conference of Economists in Melbourne on 16 July 2019. Ms Quinn is Deputy… Read more
Silver linings: APRA told to fix culture, leadership and structure but may escape APS pay-rise policy Wednesday July 17, 2019 By Stephen Easton Economy & Industry The four members of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority need to encourage more “internal debate and contestability” within the agency and a higher level of… Read more
Senior public servants to share 'f-up' stories as part of Innovation Month Thursday July 4, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal The first Australian Public Service [email protected]#kup Night is being hosted by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science on July 25. Attendees are promised an… Read more
'Tough but fair' accounting and tax policy leader Michael Andrew has passed away Tuesday June 25, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has paid tribute to Michael Andrew, who stepped back from his role with KPMG in February 2017 due to a serious illness… Read more
Economic dark clouds gather but the budget is sunny Thursday May 9, 2019 By David Donaldson Features Things were rather gloomy at Wednesday's meeting of the Melbourne Economic Forum, and it wasn't due to the wintery weather that had finally arrived. Read more
Just the facts: Treasury and CSIRO put space between advice and how ministers use it Tuesday April 16, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Treasury and the CSIRO have both recently felt the need to clarify advice they have provided the government, after opposition complaints about what ministers did… Read more
No more long knives: bring back permanent secretaries, argues 1980s Treasury dep sec Wednesday March 13, 2019 By Stephen Easton Career Matters Former Westpac chief executive and Hawke-era Treasury deputy secretary David Morgan has added his voice to those who argue the Australian Public Service needs leaders… Read more
