Time to cut off the influence of the party’s ‘big swinging dicks’ and for PM to listen Thursday March 11, 2021 By Amber Schultz Editors' Picks The 'big swinging dicks' group might not exist any more, but its mentality is alive and well in the Liberal Party. Here's who's got it.
Sports rorts: McKenzie denies taking the fall for PM Monday February 15, 2021 By Shannon Jenkins Federal Former sports minister Bridget McKenzie has rejected suggestions that the prime minister asked her to “take the fall” for the controversial sports grants program, and…
Premium Columnists Let not the season bury the scandal Tuesday February 2, 2021 By Stephen Bartos Editors' Picks The sports rorts matter raises serious issues about the ability of the Senate to hold the government to account. It would be a blow for…
McKenzie to front sports rorts inquiry in February but has ‘nothing further to add’ Tuesday January 19, 2021 By Shannon Jenkins Federal In a letter to committee chair Anthony Chisholm on January 15, Mckenzie said she would be available to appear on the date — but only…
Sports rorts: minister’s public interest immunity claim rejected, government accused of impeding on inquiry Wednesday December 2, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Federal Colbeck's claim had prevented Sport Australia from handing over key evidence to the inquiry into the administration of funding under the commonwealth's controversial Community Sport…
Premium Expert briefings COVID ate-it: Public servants front a tough fortnight at Senate Estimates Thursday October 29, 2020 By Matthew Elmas Features As scandals circle the public service and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupts business as usual, Senate Estimates has aired some tough questions.
Sports rorts: document created by McKenzie’s advisor shows grant approvals were biased, inquiry hears Thursday September 3, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Federal ANAO performance audit services group executive director Brian Boyd told a senate inquiry that McKenzie's senior adviser had created a document of 'talking points' detailing how…
Sports rorts: Gaetjens didn’t interview PM’s or McKenzie’s staff, inquiry hears Thursday July 23, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Federal The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet head has defended his probe into former sport minister Bridget McKenzie.
Premium Columnists Staffing of ministerial offices needs total shakeup Monday June 22, 2020 By Bernard Keane Editors' Picks It may be worthwhile considering whether the Australia’s departure from the UK model is an experiment that needs to be evaluated, adjusted or reversed, writes…
Premium Columnists Sins of omission can be things for commission, as mistakes mount Wednesday May 27, 2020 By Verona Burgess Career Advice If government departments have any other sins of omission hidden away in their cupboards, they’d better start fixing them and start anticipating new ones, or…
APS should have raised issues regarding controversial sports grants program, McKenzie says Monday May 18, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Federal The former sports minister at the centre of the sports rorts scandal has blamed public servants for not voicing their concerns over her handling of…
Opinion: what matters is holding ministers to account Friday May 15, 2020 By Stephen Bartos Editors' Picks Public servants should help ministers. It is not good practice to watch a minister walk blindfold into a minefield while doing the bureaucratic equivalent of…
Scott Morrison denies misleading Parliament over involvement in sports rorts Tuesday May 12, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Federal The new evidence was recently revealed to the Senate inquiry charged with investigating the handling of the sports grants program in answers to questions on…
Sports rorts: Gaetjens requests Senate appearance be delayed Monday March 16, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Federal The secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has pulled out of his scheduled appearance before the Senate inquiry into the controversial…
Premium Columnists Additional estimates committee meetings so surreal, they’re fodder for Utopia Thursday March 12, 2020 By Verona Burgess Career Advice What do you get when you combine the politics of fear with a complex set of crises, and garnish the mix with stupidity, greed and…