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.
Academic rigor, journalistic flair
Articles on Thodey review
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A proposal to ensure changes to the machinery of government “are well planned and evaluated” received short shrift.
Morrison said the shrinking of the number of departments was “to ensure the services that Australians rely on are delivered more efficiently and effectively”.
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”.
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”.
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.
Our new research shows that public servants are eager to become innovative public problem solvers, but their leaders are standing in their way.
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.
