No help from the helpline: ABC uncovers new ‘bureaucratic bungles’ in Hakeem Al-Araibi case Friday October 11, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal The ABC has uncovered new details of how Australian authorities contributed to refugee Hakeem Al-Araibi almost being shipped back to his persecutors in the kingdom… Read more
Achievement unlocked: PM gives two federal department heads another go Wednesday September 11, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Department of Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo and Attorney-General’s Department secretary Chris Moraitis have been reappointed to their respective roles. “I congratulate them both and… Read more
Pezzullo says document-leaker was playing a forbidden 'Canberra game' and should ‘go to jail’ Wednesday August 14, 2019 By Shannon Jenkins Defence Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo has argued the person who leaked a top secret document should go to jail, at the parliamentary inquiry into press… Read more
Phil Gaetjens promoted to head of PM&C, Dr Steven Kennedy to lead Treasury Thursday July 25, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Treasury secretary Phil Gaetjens will lead the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from September, and be replaced by the secretary of the Department… Read more
FOI reveals Home Affairs secretary's 'neutral' thoughts on visa privatisation Wednesday July 10, 2019 By Shannon Jenkins Federal Michael Pezzullo chose the first day of the caretaker period this year to set out his own views on how Australia's visa and citizenship processing… Read more
Re-elected Prime Minister's public message to department heads Thursday May 23, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Prime Minister Scott Morrison brought department heads out in front of the media cameras on Thursday and told them not to get in the way… Read more
The federal election campaign through the 'distorted prism' of social media Tuesday April 30, 2019 By The Mandarin Communications & Technology Home Affairs head Michael Pezzullo has described social media as a “cesspit” while former Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Peter Varghese warned it… Read more
Why Michael Pezzullo is not a fan of KPIs, or right-wing extremists Tuesday April 2, 2019 By Stephen Easton Federal Department of Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo made it very clear he has no intention of setting new performance targets for processing citizenship applications, as… Read more
Michael Pezzullo's seven gathering storms: national security in the 2020s Wednesday March 13, 2019 By Michael Pezzullo Defence Top Home Affairs official, Michael Pezzullo, says he has seen "a dark kaleidoscope of future stormy possibilities" which threaten a great cost on the nation,… Read more
No more long knives: bring back permanent secretaries, argues 1980s Treasury dep sec Wednesday March 13, 2019 By Stephen Easton Career Matters Former Westpac chief executive and Hawke-era Treasury deputy secretary David Morgan has added his voice to those who argue the Australian Public Service needs leaders… Read more
What can Australian public servants learn from the UK's new Outsourcing Playbook? Thursday February 28, 2019 By Stephen Easton Editors' Picks Can Australian public sector outsourcing practices prevent Paladin becoming its Carillion moment? A new Outsourcing Playbook offers lessons from failure. Read more
Home Affairs secretary fears cyber doom; critics say he made it more likely Friday December 7, 2018 By Stephen Easton Editors' Picks Viewed through the prism of military analogy, as is favoured by Home Affairs boss Michael Pezzullo, the growing cyber threats is a war with no established… Read more
Geoff Gallop on corruption: politics is the problem, but it's also the solution Friday November 30, 2018 By Stephen Easton Features The high risk of political corruption is the main reason for special ICAC-style oversight, but governments must be allowed to govern, says former WA Premier… Read more
Michael Pezzullo: know thy place, public servants, and focus on the facts Tuesday October 30, 2018 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo worries that some of his colleagues know too little of the origins and principles that underpin the Westminster system, and… Read more
Au pairs: a minister under fire, his department overruled, and a very long list of QONs Wednesday September 5, 2018 By Stephen Easton News The Department of Home Affairs has agreed to tell a Senate committee what led border control officials to advise Minister Peter Dutton there was a… Read more
