Murray-Darling Basin report: failure to consult Indigenous groups
First Nations have been largely left out of water management in the Murray-Darling Basin, the royal commission into the management of the river system has found. Read More
New South Wales
Why does water administration require ‘cloak and dagger’ secrecy akin to ASIO?
'The MDBA doth protest too much, methinks,' writes Commissioner Bret Walker in a rebuke that drew upon the works of George Orwell and William Shakespeare to describe how bureaucrats twisted the language of transparency. Read More
E-Day and the beauty parade: how two elections will impact the public service
Verona Burgess looks at how two critical elections could trigger another round of politically and personally favoured musical chairs at the top of the public service. Read More
Movers & shakers: defence scientist and assistant secretaries
Australia has a new Chief Defence Scientist, NSW's first Chief Information Security Officer is departing, Victoria is after a new chair for its Essential Services Commission, and there have been several new Assistant Secretary appointments at federal level. Read More
The most effective public policy and practice nudges of 2018
A teachable moment doesn’t have to arise naturally; even a simulated one helped make British police officers 21% less likely to be hooked by a phishing email, in one of a series of behavioural nudges. Read More
‘Growth’ of community housing may be an illusion. The cost-shifting isn’t
For the first time a state government housing agency has effectively contracted out all its operations in some regions, but will this improve and add to the total social housing stock? Read More
NSW government sets a new standard in digital public service design
The New South Wales government has unveiled a new Digital Design System today, to encourage more consistency between different online services, websites, apps and registration… Read More
NSW, SA governments progress deals with Commonwealth on digital and data
South Australia's Marshall government is sold on the benefits of digital identity credentials and will either start accepting the federal government's myGovID in the future, or build its own similar version. Read More
ICAC’s warning for senior NSW officials: how the modern workplace is incentivising misconduct
ICAC's first report aimed at senior New South Wales public officials warns that changes to the way government services are delivered have created opportunities for emerging corruption. Read More
Keeping track of ICAC operations on the public sector in NSW
The New South Wales Independent Commission Against Corruption only discloses current investigations activity where it feels disclosure is in the public interest. For example, the… Read More
The best of crime and violence prevention in 2018
Twelve of Australia's top programs tackling justice in innovative and effective ways, as judged by the Australian Institute of Criminology. Read More
Turnbull, Keating team up to rejuvenate the birthplace of Australia’s bureaucracy
Lucy Turnbull, former Sydney lord mayor, and Paul Keating, former prime minister, will work together to develop a long-term vision for the historic Macquarie Street East precinct. Read More
Open learning: the whole BX2018 nudge conference is out now on video
The behavioural economics team in the Prime Minister’s department has published hours of valuable educational videos from Behavioural Exchange 2018, the international conference it hosted… Read More
Why NSW needs a new public advocate to protect vulnerable adults from their families
New South Wales needs a new public advocate for vulnerable adults in place by next July, ombudsman Michael Barnes has warned, after compiling over 200… Read More
Cross-sector collaboration successes show the public service no longer needs a monopoly
Ever since the New South Wales government restructured its Premier's Awards for Public Service around the outcomes-based 12 Premier's Priorities, something interesting has developed out that approach. Read More