What are the merits of royal commissions and other forms of inquiry? Economy & Industry They are highly effective at exposing wrongdoing, but do they influence policy development? A two-stage approach might be more effective, write Dr Peter Wilkins and… Read more
Temper your sense of justice? Friday February 15, 2019 By Kristy Muir Editors' Picks Now is the time to draw on what we know, to bring together the corporate, not-for-profit, academic and government sectors and to progress what we… Read more
The CFO perspective on public service culture Thursday February 14, 2019 By Harley Dennett Features As the public sector's chief finance officers are granted a permanent seat in the executive table, the finance function is being transformed from historian and… Read more
Confidence is a long game Wednesday February 13, 2019 By Peter Debus Editors' Picks There will be a brief moment of bad headlines for the government that will soon fade away. But the underlying dynamics don’t change: the slow… Read more
What could go wrong when a top public servant moves to the big end of town? Wednesday February 13, 2019 By Verona Burgess Economy & Industry Ken Henry's fall from pedestal to bed of nails was not even cushioned by the sterling contribution he previously made to the public service, says… Read more
How the Productivity Commission undermines scientific literacy in policy Tuesday February 12, 2019 By Geoffrey Edwards Economy & Industry The absence of a scientific foundation in the PC reports explains why the Australian government itself seems impervious to scientific warnings about the impending collapse… Read more
Is it really a myth that our data isn’t safe? Tuesday February 12, 2019 By Vanessa Teague Communications & Technology New legislation aims to expose the communications of serious criminals, but it might undermine our security too. Read more
The world is run by those who show up Monday February 11, 2019 By Shaun Carney Editors' Picks In this edited extract of the new book The Change Makers, Professor Marcia Langton tells author Shaun Carney that when you do the right thing… Read more
Royal commission recommendations: processes to ensure they are implemented Wednesday February 6, 2019 By Peter Wilkins & John Phillimore Economy & Industry How realistic are the prospects of the Hayne Royal Commission’s 76 recommendations being implemented, ask Peter Wilkins and John Phillimore. Read more
Hayne’s failure to tackle bank structure spells another royal commission in a decade or so Tuesday February 5, 2019 By Andrew Linden & Warren Staples Economy & Industry While many of Kenneth Hayne's recommendations are laudable and absolutely necessary, they are not sufficient to end the regular cycle of appalling misconduct and inquiries. Read more
Aerial threat: rewards come with the AI revolution, but risks follow Monday February 4, 2019 By Anthony Elliott & Julie Hare Communications & Technology The changing parameters of opportunity and risk from the emerging AI revolution run much deeper than might be generally supposed, say Professor Anthony Elliott and Julie… Read more
Why the federal government’s new integrity commission isn't up to the job Monday February 4, 2019 By Kate Griffiths & Danielle Wood Editors' Picks Corrupt politicians and public servants will be under the spotlight of the new federal corruption watchdog. But if its proposed powers are any clue, it… Read more
Too big to fail. The risks to Australian taxpayers from New Zealand banks Wednesday January 30, 2019 By Matthew Greenwood-Nimmo & Timothy Jackson Economy & Industry A mismatch between Australian and New Zealand regulations means Australian taxpayers could be on the hook if a New Zealand bank fails. Read more
Mark Dreyfus: new corruption watchdog must be 'delicately designed' and have strong teeth Tuesday January 29, 2019 By Stephen Easton Editors' Picks One of the many questions that hinge on the result of this year's election is what kind of new anti-corruption measures will be put in… Read more
We’re awarding the Order of Australia to the wrong people Friday January 25, 2019 By Nicholas Gruen Editors' Picks Many will get awarded on Australia Day for little more than doing their job. And the higher the job’s status, the higher the award. Read more
