Sortition would address the yawning deliberative deficit and weaken many of the pathways by which polarisation, cronyism and party influence occurs, says Nicholas Gruen.
In a recent paper, James Fishkin identifies some potential shortcomings of citizens' chambers which justify his own preference for ad hoc, and temporary citizens' panels. He makes some good points.
His central concerns are that a citizens' chamber might:
have insufficient technical expertise
be susceptible to corruption and
not maintain the high quality of deliberation achieved in the best ad hoc citizens’ juries.
These are legitimate concerns. But they have a 'theoretical' ring to me. Read More
The arrival of autonomous vehicles would ideally reduce the number of cars on our roads. But this is a pipedream without a robust public transport system and willingness to share. Read More
Cambridge neuroscientist Dr Hannah Critchlow recommends a few key tips for managers to improve the wellbeing of their staff -- and their own wellbeing too. Read More
The Bangladeshi youth’s disruption of a dysfunctional decades-old system is a milestone for good governance in the country, writes Zohra Akhter. Read More
As social media accounts become part of the critical infrastructure that governs our day-to-day lives, there is a strong case that their use for official purposes be regulated by legislation. Read More
Dr Ken Henry’s statement to the banking royal commission was misguided ‒ he needs to listen to modern business theory and learn from the mistakes of the past, says Darryl Carlton. Read More
Despite all the talk, the main obstacle to using evidence in policy development is not so much lack of (potential) supply as lack of demand. Read More
The Attorney-General is wrong to claim the rights of public servants, ABC journalists and others would be violated by the National Integrity Commission proposed in federal parliament this week, according to its chief architect, Professor AJ Brown. Read More
The DTA's role is to create a platform for digital transformation, not to promote individual projects. The projects belong to individual departments and agencies, argues Darryl Carlton. Read More
The Liberals are shellshocked and unnerved after the Victorian rout and both the fact and implications of Julia Banks' desertion. Read More
APS review panel member and Coca-Cola Amatil Australia chief Alison Watkins reveals her observations of the public service and dwells on the role of business in contributing to the reform debate. Read More
Many people don't pick up on the warning signs of burnout before reaching crisis point. An organisational psychology expert identifies six "pain points" that can lead to burnout. Read More
Today's average federal public servant is female, 43-year-old, an APS 6 in a service delivery role in Canberra. She's been working for the APS for 11 years and never moved from her starting agency. Read More
If there is an unsung hero of Saturday’s so-called 'Danslide' state election result, it is the Victorian public service. Read More
An evaluator-general should lead a renewed focus on understanding the impact of government programs, independent of their delivery and insulated from the demand for appropriate 'messaging' in other parts of the system. It could lead the way beyond bureaucratic fads to a new professionalism, writes Nicholas Gruen. Read More
