According to a recent survey of public servants by the Commissioner of Official Languages, more than 44 per cent of French-speakers are uncomfortable using French at work.
CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
A recent survey reveals a general uneasiness about using French among both francophone and anglophone public servants in administrative regions where bilingualism is required.
In ancient Athens, only the richest people paid taxes on wealth, and they were happy to do it.
Twospoonfuls via Wikimedia Commons
In ancient Athens, the richest people paid taxes to support what the residents considered the salvation of the city. These taxes earned them social and political clout more valuable than money.
A strong ICAC – unlike the body the federal government is proposing – would have had the power to properly and impartially investigate the "sports rorts" affair.
The Morrison government has rejected any recommendations that would strengthen the independence of the public service.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
While the long-awaited Thodey Report makes many sensible recommendations, the detail is often missing and the analysis weak. And the government's response rules out key reforms.
Scott Morrison has rejected or sidelined a number of recommendations from the long-awaited Thodey review.
AAP/Paul Braven
A proposal to ensure changes to the machinery of government “are well planned and evaluated” received short shrift.
Andrew Metcalfe, sacked by prime minister Tony Abbott, has done a full circle and is being appointed to head the new department of agriculture, water and the environment by Morrison.
Alan Porritt/AAP
Morrison said the shrinking of the number of departments was “to ensure the services that Australians rely on are delivered more efficiently and effectively”.
Delivering the Parliamentary Library Lecture on Tuesday, Podger said the incentives for senior public servants had changed, and this had affected the way they acted.
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The former public service commissioner said the relationship between ministers and the Australian public service has transformed from a partnership to one more like “master-servant”.
Morrison describes the “the bacon and eggs principle” where “the chicken is involved, but the pig is committed”.
AAP/Shutterstock/The Conversation
Ahead of the formal receipt of the Thodey report on the public service, Morrison stresses the service must be responsive to both its ministers and the “quiet Australians”.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been at the Pacific Islands Forum in Tuvalu.
AAP/Mick Tsikas
Michelle Grattan reviews another busy week in federal politics, and take a look at the prime minister's major speech on Monday on the public service.
Beth Noveck and Rod Glover argue that to reverse the ‘creeping crisis’ faced by the public service, the government must train public servants to use creative problem-solving methods.
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On the ‘creeping crisis’ in the public service.
The Conversation, CC BY28.8 MB(download)
A timely study of the public service, titled Today's problems, Yesterday's toolkit discusses the ‘creeping crisis’ of effectiveness and legitimacy the Australian public service is facing.
The public service has been slow to adopt innovation in Australia – and this is a problem when it comes to effective government in the 21st century.
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Our new research shows that public servants are eager to become innovative public problem solvers, but their leaders are standing in their way.
Michelle Grattan discusses the high court’s decision to uphold the sacking of a public servant due to anonymous social media posts criticising the government.
Lukas Coch/AAP
University of Canberra Deputy Vice-Chancellor Geoff Crisp speaks with Michelle Grattan about the week in politics.
On Monday week, Morrison will set out in detail his thoughts on the public service in an address to the Institute of Public Administration.
Brian Cassey/AAP
The public service is a soft target, and Scott Morrison has already had it in his sights, telling it to remember the old adage – that it is on tap and the government is on top.
In a landmark decision, High Court ruled that the federal government may legitimately restrict the right of public servants to express political views.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The decision confirms the steady march of employer control over workers' private views and activities, supported by courts and tribunals over many years.
Aaron Rowe of the Architect of the Capitol’s office, which is not affected by the partial government shutdown, shovels snow left by a winter storm on the U.S. Capitol’s plaza.
REUTERS/Mike Theiler
Morten Wendelbo, American University School of Public Affairs
The shutdown poses a very real threat to preparedness for future emergencies, such as natural disasters and disease outbreaks.
U.S. federal government employees, contract workers and other demonstrators march during a ‘Rally to End the Shutdown’ in D.C. on Jan. 10.
REUTERS/Carlos Barria
The vast majority of managers said they wanted "the best person for the job". They had less idea of just who that might be, or how to ensure appointments on merit and equity targets co-exist.
Gaetjens was Peter Costello’s chief of staff, and NSW treasury secretary under a Liberal government.
Mark Graham/AAP
The issue is not that a person has served “up the Hill” - something seen as desirable all round - but how long they've been there and how strongly identified they've become with one side of politics.
Lloyd, a former Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, has incurred the ire of the union movement.
Lukas Coch/AAP