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Special Feature

Transparency of ICT procurement is in the interests of the public and vendors alike

by Darryl Carlton

A completely transparent procurement process would go a long way to ensuring that public sector projects are free from undue influence, writes Darryl Carlton.

Special Feature

Ruddock report constrains, not expands, federal religious exemptions

by Carlos Monteiro

The central recommendation of the now-leaked sections of the Ruddock report is the introduction of a federal prohibition on religious discrimination.

Special Feature

What could go wrong as Australia privatises visa processing

by Abul Rizvi

On the basis of the limited information provided to the public to date, the business and risk case for privatising visa processing appears highly questionable, says former Immigration deputy secretary Abul Rizvi.

Special Feature

Why some people find it so hard to manage their time when working from home – and what to do about it

by The Conversation

Time management involves managing complex relationships and conflicts within ourselves – as well as with others.

Special Feature

From older workers to generational solidarity. Let’s rethink ageing at work

by The Mandarin

Recently, a raft of public policy measures targeting older workers have emerged as governments internationally have become concerned about the prospect of ageing populations decimating public finances in the years ahead.

Special Feature

Time management: separating the important from the merely urgent

by David Donaldson

Do you find yourself constantly responding to emails and attending meetings, but never quite getting around to the things you really ought to be doing? Distinguishing between the important and the merely urgent can help.

Special Feature

The uncivil Mr Jones and the Opera House stoush

by Michelle Grattan

The row over shock jock Alan Jones and what will be displayed on the Sydney Opera House sails about The Everest horse race involves two sets of issues.

Special Feature

There is no perfect government cloud for government … It’s the network that counts

by Jillian Hagen

It would be entirely forgivable for any government executive to feel a headache coming on, when the topic of cloud computing hits their to-do list. Where to start in realising the best value out of this crucial strategy?

Special Feature

Independence is paramount to the work of a scrutineer

by The Mandarin

Inspector-General of Taxation Ali Noroozi discusses, among other things, the tensions between the internal regulators and the agencies they oversee in his valedictory speech.

Special Feature

Should you call in the consultants?

by Victoria Draudins

Being clear on the particular value a consultant can bring and whether the project requires these skills is essential to preserving value in the public service.

Special Feature

Greenfield, brownfield or leftfield? Why productive cloud needs to flex with government

by Jillian Hagen

Government departments would love to act as digitally dynamic and as fast as growing tech companies, but they have complex and aging systems to consider. That’s where a top class modern network can help.

Special Feature

Digitising social services could further exclude people already on the margins

by The Conversation

While it's becoming easier to engage online, the ability to speak to a front-line public servant face-to-face is diminishing. This is creating a service gap with adverse impacts on the lives of some citizens.

Special Feature

Is our democracy broken?

by The University of Melbourne

While many Australians are still coming to terms with having five Prime Ministers in as many years, what does the future look like for the world’s sixth oldest continuous democracy?

Special Feature

The most influential voices outside of government on improving the APS

by Stephen Easton

The panel reviewing the APS should reinforce its identity as a distinct institution within government, and build a stronger general consensus around what federal bureaucrats and ministerial advisers are supposed to do these days, argues a group of Canberra's most experienced ex-mandarins.

Special Feature

How to make Sydney and Melbourne more efficient and accessible

by The University of Melbourne

Making our biggest cities more efficient, affordable and accessible will raise the living standards of nearly all Australians, but it will also require some compromise.