Crunch time for APS plans to flatten hierarchies into broad layers Career Advice Three quarters of federal agencies took some steps to reduce the number of management layers in the 2016-17 financial year, according to the latest State
Noel Pearson: bureaucracy 'not up to the task' January 28, 2016 By David Donaldson Community & Social Government is not taking the idea of social innovation seriously and the bureaucracy is “not up to the task” of improving the lives of first
Charlie Shandil: Frank, fearless ... and replaceable January 5, 2016 By Charlie Shandil Features The past month has witnessed a fundamental shift in the top structure of the Australian public service with the loss of some of the most
Evaluation 'the key' to traction on hard policy challenges December 11, 2015 By Stephen Easton Community & Social The Productivity Commission has taken a strong stand for policy evaluation to identify programs that work, and why, so governments can stop wasting time and
Reflections turn to farewells for Michael Thawley December 10, 2015 By Stephen Easton Career Advice Every good idea has its day, says Michael Thawley, the outgoing head of the Australian Public Service. If one word could summarise his ambition for
New 'open by default' public data policy just the beginning December 7, 2015 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology Data can fuel innovation, improve service delivery and underpin genuine evidence-based policy — but public servants aren’t remembering to make it available. A new 18-month
The mandarin shuffle: orderly departure more than dramatic purge November 25, 2015 By Stephen Easton Career Advice Michael Thawley is scheduled to dispense his reflections after a year as the Commonwealth’s top mandarin two weeks from today, and the news that he
Thawley quits, still no confirmation on Martin Parkinson November 24, 2015 By The Mandarin News Michael Thawley will resign in January and Peter Varghese in July as part of a reshuffle of top mandarins in Canberra. Thawley, the Department of
Apolitical vs nonpartisan: APS boss has a mind and is going to speak it November 9, 2015 By David Donaldson Career Advice The bureaucracy must advocate for reform, says Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Michael Thawley as some political leaders demand less passive public servants. On
Michelle Grattan: why won't you talk to the media, mandarins? November 2, 2015 By Michelle Grattan Features Michael Thawley, surprised at finding so many closed doors — requiring swipe cards — when he became secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and
Public sector leaders throwing open the doors October 30, 2015 By Harley Dennett Career Advice Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Michael Thawley really has a problem with locked doors in public administration. Writing in The Australian today, Thawley
Outcomes over organisation: 'it's a state of mind' October 14, 2015 By Stephen Easton Features Michael Thawley Social change over recent decades has significantly altered the operating environment for public service organisations. Some have work to
Thawley's new recruiting rules swap fixed criteria for 'one page pitch' October 9, 2015 By The Mandarin Career Advice No more selection criteria — jargon and pro-forma duty statements are out, replaced with inspiring ads that tell candidates what the department is trying to
Get nimble, get positive, Michael Thawley tells Canberra September 25, 2015 By Stephen Easton Career Advice Australia’s top bureaucrat has flagged structural changes to government ranks, as the new prime minister demands a more agile public service. But Michael Thawley, after 10
