Report on ‘innovative mechanism’ of federal housing policy calls for more money Community & Social A new report by Chris Leptos, who led an independent review into the government’s National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) Act, has found that
Governments ensure the public sector keeps pace with slow wage growth March 14, 2019 By Stephen Easton Australian Capital Territory The slow wage growth that has become the norm across the economy is also evident in the public sector, with most governments choosing to put
Corruption in Queensland: protect reputations or let the sunshine in? October 5, 2016 By Stephen Easton News Should it be illegal to reveal allegations of public corruption, in order to protect reputations and discourage vexatious complaints, or would that unfairly restrict free
Barnett moves to put WA councils under auditor-general's watch August 26, 2016 By Stephen Easton News Western Australian councils can expect closer and more public oversight of their finances and performance in future with the state government finally moving to bring
National digital identity framework prototype only weeks away August 9, 2016 By Stephen Easton Communications & Technology The Digital Transformation Office will release details of how it plans to build a national proof-of-identity system that doesn’t require an exchange of much personal
How the bureaucrats (and politicians) rate on the new ethics index July 25, 2016 By Stephen Easton News Unsurprisingly, Australians see public servants as more ethical than their political leaders, according to the Governance Institute of Australia’s first annual Australian Ethics Index. Only
CSIRO report: libraries, museums lagging in digitisation September 16, 2014 By David Donaldson Communications & Technology Digital innovation is lagging in Australia’s cultural public sector such as libraries and museums, according to a new CSIRO report released today. The report — An
Uber policy challenge: winning co-operation from taxi start-up September 15, 2014 By David Donaldson News Victorian Taxi Services Commissioner Graeme Samuel has welcomed as a “significant step forward” ride-sharing app Uber’s decision to engage with the regulator in a “constructive”
Roger Wilkins on red tape, 'mindless proliferation of watchdogs' September 11, 2014 By David Donaldson Features The “mindless proliferation of watchdogs and reporting” in government is gumming up the system, according to the outgoing Attorney-General’s Department secretary Roger Wilkins. In an exit
Perfectionist public sector leaders struggle to measure economic impact September 11, 2014 By Stephen Easton News Australia’s public sector needs to improve its ability to measure the economic value of its work in the wider economy, a recent survey of senior
The strong case for randomised trials in policy development September 10, 2014 By David Donaldson Editors' Picks Employing randomised trials to drive policymaking is gaining traction overseas. Labor’s Andrew Leigh makes the case for Australia — and calls for more innovation in
Lights, camera, ACTION: the wheels on the bus go where needed September 8, 2014 By Stephen Easton Features The ACT government has used detailed passenger data to redesign its ACTION bus network for the first time. And while not all passengers are happy,
Hazelwood mine fire: lessons in health crisis management September 5, 2014 By Stephen Easton Features Over the 45 days it burned, the Hazelwood mine fire blanketed neighbouring Morwell with smoke and ash. The effects on the health of nearby residents
Hazelwood mine fire a lesson to collaborate and communicate September 3, 2014 By Stephen Easton News The final report of the inquiry into the Hazelwood mine fire is filled with lessons for public servants — chiefly the need to provide the
