What could go wrong when a top public servant moves to the big end of town?
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 Verona Burgess. Read More
Ken Henry
The finance royal commissioner thinks Ken Henry just doesn’t seem to get it
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… Read More
Ken Henry is wrong, and that has implications for public policy
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 past, says Darryl Carlton. Read More
Labor’s alternative APS: less efficiency cuts, but stop flying around so much
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… Read More
When mandarins join the big end of town
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 wish for. Read More
‘Urgent’: former secretaries assess public service capability
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 of bureaucratic capacity. Read More
Upmarket agitprop: Clive James on John Howard on Bob Menzies
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 weaker, dumbed-down versions of opposing views, as expressed by ideological fringe-dwellers. Read More
Keane: after years of decline, who’ll rescue the public service?
OPINION: A former Canberra SES gives a stinging assessment of a "toxic mix of incompetence and politicisation" in the federal public service. Is it right, and do the positive signs reflect a turnaround? Read More
Bureaucrat in the ministerial office: career risk or boon?
FEATURE: Thinking of a career switch to the other side of the fence? Drew Clarke and Frances Adamson are the latest in a long line of public servants moving to ministerial offices. But is it a risk to your career? Read More
Tingle: Australia’s legacy of public service wisdom gutted by politicians
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 Laura Tingle. Read More
Bad boss? Bureaucrats defend ‘bully’ Rudd
Nicola Roxon, health minister in the Rudd government, says her boss was abusive to public servants and dismissive of their work. Top officials at the time have a different recollection and Rudd says it wasn't his fault. Read More
The Killing Season: rise of the public servant PM
To everyday Australians, Kevin Rudd in 2007 was the prototypical image of a public servant: helpful, polite, across the detail of both policy and implementation. Sarah Ferguson's documentary on the Rudd/Gillard years begins with the familiar relationship between minister and secretary, but in extraordinary circumstances. Read More
Dr Ken Henry
Dr Ken Henry sits on The Mandarin's editorial advisory board. Read More