Silver linings: APRA told to fix culture, leadership and structure but may escape APS pay-rise policy 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
'Tough but fair' accounting and tax policy leader Michael Andrew has passed away June 25, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Internationally renowned Australian accounting executive Michael Andrew, the former chairman and chief executive of KPMG International who also chaired the federal government’s Black Economy Taskforce
Economic dark clouds gather but the budget is sunny 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. The Australian economy is not
Just the facts: Treasury and CSIRO put space between advice and how ministers use it 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
No more long knives: bring back permanent secretaries, argues 1980s Treasury dep sec March 13, 2019 By Stephen Easton Career Advice 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
Should government agencies fall under universal pay-on-time reporting rules? February 14, 2019 By Stephen Easton Economy & Industry Should a new scheme to encourage Australia’s largest organisations to pay their small suppliers on time apply to government agencies, or should they continue being
Treasury deputy Nigel Ray is off to Washington August 14, 2018 By Stephen Easton Economy & Industry A couple of weeks after his former chief of staff became the new Treasury secretary, Scott Morrison wants to send the head of the department’s
Bowen says Labor would restore Treasury's independence, hints at Gaetjens removal July 25, 2018 By The Mandarin Federal Labor’s Treasury spokesperson Chris Bowen has linked the appointment of incoming Treasury department secretary Philip Gaetjens to issues of “integrity of the public service”. Speaking
New Treasury secretary rolls the dice on his future July 17, 2018 By Michelle Grattan Editors' Picks Phil Gaetjens, the incoming Treasury secretary, must be very brave, highly confident in his ability to handle tricky situations, or a fatalist. Shadow treasurer Chris
Auditor-general Grant Hehir defends his independence from ministerial direction July 16, 2018 By Stephen Easton Federal The Treasurer had no right to stop the auditor-general telling his parliamentary oversight committee about a last-minute funding change this year, according to official legal
Less insular Treasury is paying off, says outgoing boss July 13, 2018 By David Donaldson Economy & Industry Basing staff in the nation’s big economic centres is helping Treasury keep its finger on the pulse, says the soon-to-depart John Fraser. Improving recruitment and
Federal government endorses national e-invoicing standard June 1, 2018 By Tom Burton News The federal government has adopted an industry-wide framework for digital invoicing, paving the way for rapid takeup of electronic invoicing in government and the creation
Legislature vs executive: auditor-general's independence trumped by budget secrecy May 30, 2018 By Stephen Easton Features This year, budget secrecy trumped the independence of Commonwealth auditor-general Grant Hehir, and the deputy chair of the parliamentary committee that backs him up is
How can the APS exclude suppliers with poor tax records from procurement? May 18, 2018 By Stephen Easton Economy & Industry The Tax Office will soon have a role in giving the green light to high-value Commonwealth procurement, and Treasury’s new Black Economy Division is calling for