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 to let go and empower middle managers, while more lower-level recruits might also help. Read More
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
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 nostalgic for the days of ATSIC. Read More
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 of safeguards is an ongoing concern. Read More
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 traction on difficult policy challenges. The Productivity Commission says evaluation is vital. Read More
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 and politicians with why he has renewed pride in the public service. Read More
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 culture on data sharing. Read More
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 to hear what the fully realised Thawley-APS would have looked like before the PM&C boss steps down. Read More
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 in from the cold? Read More
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 its technology skills shortage. Read More
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 bureaucrats the public had more understanding. Read More
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
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 them, the IPAA ACT Division conference heard. Read More
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 achieve. Read More
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 singing public servants' praises. Read More
