Martin Parkinson to lead ANU’s Wilson Foundation Wednesday March 17, 2021 By Shannon Jenkins Careers During his career in the APS, Parkinson held the roles of Treasury secretary, inaugural secretary of the Department of Climate Change, and PM&C secretary.
‘What climate policy?’: former top mandarins voice anger over Australia’s failure to tackle climate change Tuesday May 19, 2020 By Shannon Jenkins Energy & Environment Former top bureaucrats have spoken out about what they believe to be a failure by Australian politicians and their respective governments to implement and maintain…
Premium Insights and analysis Peter Costello on the independence of the public service 'view', the future of policy advice, and when Treasury secretaries were treated harshly Wednesday August 7, 2019 By Peter Costello Editors' Picks Peter Costello tackles the thorny issue of where, when and how a department of state should be having its own view, and what does that…
Premium Insights and analysis Trust makes the world go round. As a business asset, rebuild it with competence, care and 'a little bit of good each day' Friday July 26, 2019 By Bob McMullan & Sean Innis Community & Social The importance of trust was a focus of the recent ANU Crawford Leadership Forum. The forum brought together 200 thinkers and decision-makers from Australia and…
Bake workers back into Australia's mutuals Wednesday June 12, 2019 By Melina Morrison Economy & Industry Co-operatives play a major role in developed countries. It is time workers were dealt back into Australia economy. The good news is, we have a…
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…
The finance royal commissioner thinks Ken Henry just doesn't seem to get it Tuesday February 5, 2019 By Stephen Easton Economy & Industry The finance royal commission’s final report singles out NAB as the big-four bank that seems least willing to learn its lessons and accept responsibility for…
Ken Henry is wrong, and that has implications for public policy Monday December 3, 2018 By Darryl Carlton Economy & Industry Dr Ken Henry’s statement to the banking royal commission was misguided ‒ he needs to listen to modern business theory and learn from the mistakes of the…
Labor's alternative APS: less efficiency cuts, but stop flying around so much Thursday August 9, 2018 By Stephen Easton Federal As well as removing the Australian Public Service staffing cap, a Labor government would forgo nearly $400 million in planned efficiency dividends, cut travel costs…
When mandarins join the big end of town Wednesday May 2, 2018 By Verona Burgess Editors' Picks You’re leaving a senior position in the Australian Public Service and covet a plush seat in the elite company directors’ club. Be careful what you…
'Urgent': former secretaries assess public service capability Monday February 12, 2018 By David Donaldson Editors' Picks If the public service were a patient "it would be in palliative care", says Terry Moran. Here's what other secretaries have said about Australia's loss…
Upmarket agitprop: Clive James on John Howard on Bob Menzies Wednesday April 26, 2017 By Nicholas Gruen Features Nicholas Gruen reviews a book review by Clive James and ponders the decline of serious debate. He says James joined the culture wars and attacked…
Keane: after years of decline, who'll rescue the public service? Friday February 12, 2016 By Bernard Keane Features OPINION: A former Canberra SES gives a stinging assessment of a "toxic mix of incompetence and politicisation" in the federal public service. Is it…
Bureaucrat in the ministerial office: career risk or boon? Tuesday February 2, 2016 By David Donaldson Career Advice FEATURE: Thinking of a career switch to the other side of the fence? Drew Clarke and Frances Adamson are the latest in a long…
Tingle: Australia's legacy of public service wisdom gutted by politicians Monday November 23, 2015 By The Mandarin Economy & Industry Australia's devaluing of the public service is not just about politicisation — bright young recruits have lost access to the experience of their elders, writes…
