Future cities, where infrastructure adapts to our needs, offer are an enticing prospect. But who is in the driving seat as these urban developments crop up around the world? We need to make sure that the…
The long-held belief that the private sector is more efficient than the public sector is not supported by theory or evidence.
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“The reality is that government employees around the world are known not to be as efficient as the private sector.” —Paul Fletcher, Liberal Party, Member for Bradfield “The efficiency of the public system…
The role of politicians and public servants are blurred in countries such as China, which announced its new leadership last week.
EPA/Adrian Bradshaw
What will the Asian Century mean for public administration in Australia? This probably isn’t the first question that occurs to people pondering the implications of shifting economic and political power…
Terry Moran has called for the strengthening of the Australian Public Service.
Alan Porritt / AAP
John Alford, Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG)
Terry Moran was Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2008 to 2011. He is now President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and a governor of the Committee…
Former Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Terry Moran AC, has called for the strengthening of the Australian Public Service.
Alan Porritt / AAP
John Alford, Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG)
Terry Moran was Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2008 to 2011. He is now President of the Institute of Public Administration Australia and a governor of the Committee…
Peter Shergold, pictured here at COAG with former prime minister John Howard, was Australia’s top public servant from 2003-2008.
AAP/Alan Porritt
In 2007, soon after becoming prime minister, Kevin Rudd found himself unable to attend the Christmas party of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) of which I was the secretary. This…
The earthquake at l'Aquila was a tragedy, but blaming experts and governments doesn’t help.
EPA/Grillo
The decision of an Italian Court to convict six scientists and one government official of manslaughter for the failure to predict the magnitude of a devastating earthquake in L’Aquila in central Italy…
There’s no point idealising the Hawke years. The public service has changed with the news cycle.
AAP/National Archives of Australia
Something is wrong with policy debate and deliberative processes in Australia. Everyone has a view on what is wrong with the public service, from Business Council of Australia chief Jennifer Westacott…
The UK’s recent rail fiasco shows outsourcing isn’t always the answer.
EPA/Andy Rain
As governments increasingly come under fiscal stress, many leap at the opportunity to cut costs by outsourcing services. The current flurry of activity around outsourcing, gaining much attention in the…
David Cameron has championed the ‘Big Society’ - but is it the right fit for Australia?
Andy Rain / AAP
Public service reform is never far from the minds of newly elected governments, particularly in times of fiscal constraint. The pressure to cut budgets combined with a determination to “do something” about…
Are cuts the best way to achieve efficient Government?
Joe Castro / AAP
I was sitting in a session at the Institute of Public Administration Congress recently where Greg Hywood, the CEO of Fairfax, boldly announced that the public sector simply did not understand cuts. Not…
It takes more than a code of conduct to foster good departmental relationships.
AAP/Alan Porritt
The role of ministerial advisers and their relationship to public servants has been the subject of aserious public debate in recent weeks. Business Council of Australia chief Jennifer Westacott caused…