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Special Feature

Dr Martin Parkinson: Brexit, multilateralism and how the media impacts policy work

by Martin Parkinson

The secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet was interviewed by the UK government's Civil Service Quarterly about what a post-Brexit UK can learn from Australia, how policy development is changing, and rebuilding capability and public trust.

Special Feature

What government interventions work to support carers of people with dementia?

by The Mandarin

The Productivity Commission today released its latest 'what works' paper on dementia carer support. However, the answer appears to be: probably nothing, with an asterisk.

Special Feature

Why legislation should ban schools from LGBTIQ+ discrimination

by The Conversation

The current loophole for religious schools does not reflect what the majority of Australia thinks about education, religion and LGBTIQ+ people.

Special Feature

Using data to reinvigorate democracy

by The Mandarin

Agencies are constantly seeking public participation but they need to continue conversations with the insights they gather. Technology may be the key.

Special Feature

Crisis of confidence: a black dog stalks the public service

by Harley Dennett

Alarming new research has revealed the black dog stalking the public services of Australia as their unique professional obligations are afforded less respect than in the past.

Special Feature

Why Australian leadership would benefit from more scientists

by The Mandarin

The world would be better served by our leaders acting as scientists do, coming up with the best solutions based on the evidence at hand, says Robin Batterham.

Special Feature

In praise of proper public policy process: if professional pundits can agree, can’t we all?

by Stephen Easton

Conventional wisdom suggests politics revolves around competing ideas but the process by which policies are developed is also important, as an interesting research project has highlighted.

Special Feature

Leading in tough times, with Obama’s stimulus boss Edward DeSeve

by David Donaldson

Edward DeSeve was at the forefront of the US response to the GFC. He discusses the importance of using the tried pathways "wherever you can" and how the Trump administration is serving up policies that "aren’t quite half baked, they’re a quarter baked".

Special Feature

Percy Allan: process, not policy is where the left and right can agree

by Percy Allan

By uncovering good and bad examples of policymaking, can we coax politicians to lift their game? Former NSW Treasury Secretary Percy Allan explains the research project that found common ground between the left and the right.

Special Feature

How the Australian government is failing on countering violent extremism

by The Mandarin

An analysis of budget documents suggests that federal funding for community-based, counter-terrorism programs has dried up.

Special Feature

Brexit triggers unlikely civil service renaissance

by David Donaldson

Brexit is placing huge strain on the UK government but has re-energised parts of the civil service, says the Institute for Government's Jill Rutter.

Special Feature

Searching for Democracy 2.0 without losing Democracy 1.0

by The University of Melbourne

Reimagining and safeguarding democracy, while charting a course between alarmism and complacency, requires new ways of thinking.

Special Feature

Who killed reform?

by David Donaldson

The age of reform is apparently dead, but there isn't much agreement about who killed it.

Special Feature

Mathias Cormann: the ‘state of the service’ is strong

by The Mandarin

Commonwealth administration spending controls are staying, the Finance Minister signals. He urged the APS to not forget the basic enabling skills as it builds new skills like data analytics and coding.

Special Feature

Peter Woolcott: where to for the Australian Public Service

by Peter Woolcott

The APS needs to become more politically astute in its advice to ministers, the Australian Public Service Commissioner says in his first major address.