Crunch time for APS plans to flatten hierarchies into broad layers Friday January 19, 2018 By Stephen Easton Features In 2015, the top-heavy APS began a three-year plan to flatten hierarchies into around five to seven broad layers of responsibility. Senior executives still need… Read more
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… Read more
Noel Pearson: bureaucracy 'not up to the task' Thursday January 28, 2016 By David Donaldson Community & Social Aboriginal affairs reports are going unread, the system is woefully insufficient and PM&C is actively resisting alternatives, argues Aboriginal leader Noel Pearson. Some are even… Read more
Charlie Shandil: Frank, fearless ... and replaceable Tuesday January 5, 2016 By Charlie Shandil Features While politicians get "captain's picks" in selecting departmental heads, is the role of the Australian public service to provide impartial advice being undermined? The lack… Read more
Evaluation 'the key' to traction on hard policy challenges Friday December 11, 2015 By Stephen Easton Community & Social Setting targets, like COAG did for combined efforts to Close the Gap, is useful but should not be the main focus of attempts to get… Read more
Reflections turn to farewells for Michael Thawley Thursday December 10, 2015 By Stephen Easton Foreign Affairs & Immigration It only lasted a year but being the most senior public servant in Australia was the highlight of Michael Thawley's career. He left public servants… Read more
New 'open by default' public data policy just the beginning Monday December 7, 2015 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology Data can fuel innovation, improve service delivery and underpin genuine evidence-based policy. A new 18-month roadmap and training from PM&C aims to shift public service… Read more
The mandarin shuffle: orderly departure more than dramatic purge Wednesday November 25, 2015 By Stephen Easton Features Stable government is here again, as the sensible handling by Drew Clarke's PMO made three major departures seem perfectly ordinary. There'll be one more chance… Read more
Thawley quits, still no confirmation on Martin Parkinson Tuesday 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 Canberra mandarins. Will Martin Parkinson be brought… Read more
Apolitical vs nonpartisan: APS boss has a mind and is going to speak it Monday November 9, 2015 By David Donaldson News The bureaucracy must advocate for reform, says PM&C secretary Michael Thawley. He offered his thoughts on a range of issues facing the public service, including… Read more
Michelle Grattan: why won't you talk to the media, mandarins? Monday November 2, 2015 By Michelle Grattan Features Allowing the media into the policy process is not as scary as some mandarins think, the veteran political correspondent writes. When journalists had access to… Read more
Public sector leaders throwing open the doors Friday October 30, 2015 By Harley Dennett News PM&C boss Michael Thawley really has a problem with locked doors in public administration. He's not alone, with state leaders also wanting change. Read more
Outcomes over organisation: 'it's a state of mind' Wednesday October 14, 2015 By Stephen Easton Features To thrive in the current environment and into the future, public services need to focus on the outcomes and give up control over who delivers… Read more
Thawley's new recruiting rules swap fixed criteria for 'one page pitch' Friday October 9, 2015 By The Mandarin News 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… Read more
Get nimble, get positive, Michael Thawley tells Canberra Friday September 25, 2015 By Stephen Easton Jurisdiction A new Prime Minister will demand a more agile public service, Canberra's top bureaucrat has warned. But after 10 months in the job he's also… Read more
