Black Saturday: bushfire planning as our population grows
Bushfire planning around our expanding urban environments is crucial for dealing with Australia’s increasing bushfire risk. Read More
Victoria
Murray-Darling plan a failure of evidence-based policy and co-operative federalism
Public servants are in the firing line of a caustic final report from the South Australian royal commission into the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, which found the federal agency at the centre of the agreement has acted unlawfully, on “dubious” advice from the Australian Government Solicitor. Read More
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
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
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
Why did Victoria axe executive bonuses?
Bonuses weren't very effective at improving performance among public servants, and may have had unintended consequences. Read More
Movers & shakers: deputy spill and fill
Victoria's Justice and Jobs departments have overhauled their senior executive ranks following the machinery of government rejig announced after the November state election. Read More
Fake breath tests: VicPol agrees to improve ethics and evidence-based leadership
Victoria Police has accepted 23 recommendations from its former chief Neil Comrie following last year’s revelations of faked breath tests. The force needs… Read More
IBAC charges government official over alleged procurement theft and deception
A former manager at the Frankston City Council has been accused of misconduct in public office among 79 charges laid by Victoria's anti-corruption body. Read More
Driverless and zero emissions vehicles – driving transport, energy and government closer
Michel Masson, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, discusses the increasing convergence of transport and energy policy, and the need for governments — at all levels and… Read More
Using indicators to uncover ‘toxic’ workplace for women
Disproportionately small numbers of women in an office can be an indicator of deeper problems, says the man leading Victoria Police's response to a review of discrimination and sexual harassment. Read More
Public sector leadership awards finalists announced
Medical cannabis and a World Heritage bid are among the policy areas represented among the finalists for this year's IPAA Victoria Leadership in the Public Sector Awards. Read More
Engaging Victoria – can a platform increase government legitimacy?
Key points: People need to understand what influence they have over the policymaking process The Victorian government are taking citizen engagement to a… 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
Movers & shakers: who’s replacing the new secretaries
It's already been decided who is taking over from the two Victorian DPC deputies elevated to secretary level. Plus the latest federal appointments. Read More