Beware the axe: stability is good, but loyalty is better for some incoming ministers Career Advice Would a Shorten Labor government bring another night of the long knives? Some executives could be seen as turn-coats, but there’s reason to think wiser
Ken Smith: how to restore public trust in government April 17, 2018 By Ken Smith Editors' Picks The current focus on the day-to-day minutiae of scandals in government (real or imagined) can blur the fact that decline in trust in the institutions
Angus Campbell and David Johnston: two appointments and three key challenges April 17, 2018 By Michael Shoebridge Career Advice The government has made two big decisions by appointing Angus Campbell as the next Chief of the Australian Defence Force (CDF) and David Johnston as
Consultancies 'adding up to billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money' April 11, 2018 By Verona Burgess Career Advice Two hearings and more than 50 submissions later, the JPCPAA may not be getting far, but the committee leaders are clearly asking intelligent questions. The
Martin Hoffman: performance auditing – friend or foe to public sector innovation April 10, 2018 By Martin Hoffman Editors' Picks In an era of real-time data and customer feedback, is performance auditing broken? If they continue to reward process and ignore outcomes, ministers may turn elsewhere,
Career advice: 'Be selfish' and don't box yourself in, EPA boss says April 6, 2018 By David Donaldson Career Advice The head of Victoria’s Environmental Protection Authority has some advice for young public servants: put your own career needs first while you have the chance,
The blueprint for the total overhaul of government you've never heard of April 4, 2018 By Verona Burgess Editors' Picks With tentacles that reach far across portfolio, federal, state and private sector lines, Bill Ferris has given the Prime Minister a blueprint for government reform
APS and the missing 'burning platform' for improvement March 28, 2018 By Verona Burgess Career Advice The only heartening aspect of the Australian cricket team’s cheating scandal is that, despite everything, the people clearly believe that moral leadership is of vital
Six and Out? What Australia’s cricket scandal tells us about the six golden rules of integrity March 28, 2018 By Michael Macaulay Editors' Picks Australian cricket’s ball-tampering scandal offers fascinating insights in six key integrity areas: the balance between rules and values; the importance of leadership; psychological safety; organisational
Eight lessons on innovation from Obama's administrative head March 27, 2018 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology Not everything went according to plan in a push towards innovation, online platforms and administrative efficiency during the Obama administration, but progress was made and
Walking in both worlds: Indigenous public servants' challenges and strengths March 26, 2018 By David Donaldson Career Advice For Indigenous public servants, having to “walk in both worlds” presents challenges — but can also be a significant source of strength and leadership. Navigating
Verona Burgess: how baser practices took hold when good intentions failed March 22, 2018 By Verona Burgess Editors' Picks When parliamentary efforts to codify the use of “reasonable force” against people in Australia’s immigration detention centres failed, it left a vacuum that has the Ombudsman
Learning the art of saying nothing: moving between politics and the public service March 21, 2018 By David Donaldson Editors' Picks Victorian MP Julian Hill reflects on his time in the public service, ministers interfering, and not being scared of talking to journalists. One of the
How national governments collaborate to improve migrant health and well-being March 20, 2018 By The Mandarin Editors' Picks Pre-migration health assessments help Australia manage disease and improve lives. Greater collaboration between countries could boost public health, write Belinda Martin and Paul Douglas. Australia
