APS leaders warned about conflicts of interest in procurement Federal Australian Public Service leaders have been formally reminded they are expected to fully comply with the rules around managing potential and actual conflicts of interest… Read more
Odd logic: why the Morrison government won't mandate Essential Eight cyber controls Wednesday April 17, 2019 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology In an unusual piece of logic, the federal government says it will not mandate the Australian Signals Directorate’s Essential Eight information security controls for all… Read more
Auditor-general Grant Hehir defends his independence from ministerial direction Monday July 16, 2018 By Stephen Easton Federal The Treasurer had no right to stop the auditor-general telling his parliamentary oversight committee about a last-minute funding change this year, according to official legal… Read more
Legislature vs executive: auditor-general's independence trumped by budget secrecy Wednesday May 30, 2018 By Stephen Easton Features This year, budget secrecy trumped the independence of Commonwealth auditor-general Grant Hehir, and the deputy chair of the parliamentary committee that backs him up is… Read more
Audit ambit: more scrutiny on federal contract deals Friday March 16, 2018 By Stephen Easton Features The federal audit committee is gearing up for round two of its inquiry into the messy world of contractors and consultants, as the auditor-general prepares… Read more
Paying for credibility: 'Don't you need a logo on it?' Friday February 23, 2018 By Stephen Easton Features Why do public servants need to use consulting firms so much? And how can you be a skilled buyer of consulting? Senior officials tell their… Read more
No evidence to support APS staff cap, no idea how many contractors fill the void Tuesday February 20, 2018 By Stephen Easton Features Politicians want AusTender to be more than it is. Finance officials warn expanding it into a full expenditure reporting system would be better served though… Read more
Dubious grants and rubbery criteria keep political tool claims alive Monday September 19, 2016 By Stephen Easton Case studies If your agency's grants program had few quality applications, a surplus of funds, and was largely seen by experts as a pork barrel, what would you… Read more
