SMEs take home more than one quarter of federal procurement contracts Monday November 25, 2019 By Shannon Jenkins Economy & Industry The value of federal government contracts going to small and medium enterprises has increased by almost 30%. Government procurement targets aim for at least 10%… Read more
Commonwealth adopts new procurement payment policy, encourages states to do the same Thursday November 7, 2019 By Shannon Jenkins Federal Commonwealth government agencies will soon be expected to pay e-Invoices to suppliers within five days, or else pay interest on late payments. Starting from January… Read more
Review into VET regulator begins Thursday October 31, 2019 By Shannon Jenkins Economy & Industry A review into the national regulator for the vocational education and training sector has begun following a push from private-sector VET companies. Read more
Commonwealth agencies now have to pay lower-value bills within 20 days Tuesday July 2, 2019 By Stephen Easton Economy & Industry Starting this week Commonwealth agencies are expected to pay invoices worth less than $1 million within 20 days rather than 30 as the previous rules… Read more
Should government agencies fall under universal pay-on-time reporting rules? Thursday February 14, 2019 By Stephen Easton Economy & Industry The Payment Times Reporting Framework is under development, and a key question is whether it should apply universally, leave Commonwealth agencies under existing rules with… Read more
Lloyd makes calls on free speech and union-bargaining policies Wednesday February 28, 2018 By Stephen Easton News The Australian Public Service Commissioner has provided a new practical example of how the rules on public commentary operate: if a member of parliament mentions… Read more
Michaelia Cash office leak illustrates a failure of ministerial responsibility Monday October 30, 2017 By The Mandarin Features Michaelia Cash denies she knowingly misled the Senate, blaming her ministerial adviser's unilateral actions for her incorrect assertions. This shows the accountability deficit created by… Read more
'We are not there yet': Michaelia Cash on IWD Wednesday March 8, 2017 By David Donaldson News "We have to do more", Michaelia Cash, Minister for Women, reminded a pre-International Women's Day breakfast. "60% of families with kids have a full time… Read more
Gender equality in APS sights as strategy launches Thursday April 28, 2016 By David Donaldson News A new APS gender equality strategy launched by Martin Parkinson and Michaelia Cash aims to get more women into leadership roles and move agencies towards… Read more
Whistleblower law gone to the dogs, change afoot to narrow scope Friday April 8, 2016 By Stephen Easton Features Too many small, interpersonal matters are being dressed up as whistleblowing, says the nation's former integrity commissioner who will soon complete a statutory two-year review… Read more
Private sector workforce practices coming to APS later this month Monday April 4, 2016 By The Mandarin News By the end of April, the federal government will finally reveal the APS reforms designed to make its workforce more like the private sector. But… Read more
Cash rejects Times' tale of lost DV leave, strikes loom Friday March 11, 2016 By Harley Dennett News It's not true, says the public service minister, after reports of slashed domestic violence leave. As strike action ramps up, a working mother tells The… Read more
Flexible by default: Cash foreshadows APS flex time reform Wednesday March 9, 2016 By Harley Dennett News The Public Service Minister flags an announcement "within weeks" about reforms to APS flexibility, recruitment processes, gender pay gap reporting and unconscious bias training. Read more
Parkinson: diversity won't just roll in, 'go out and find good candidates' Thursday March 3, 2016 By Harley Dennett News Don't know how to square off an HR diversity target with the idea of merit-based selection? You're not alone. Two top figures for the public… Read more
Safe Work Australia finally locks in Michelle Baxter as boss Wednesday November 4, 2015 By The Mandarin News After the longest audition in known public service history, Michelle Baxter has been confirmed as boss of Safe Work Australia for the next five years. Read more
