Andrew Podger

The ombud found no evidence of specific partisan appointments but still presented evidence of rejection of proper ‘merit-based’ processes.

It’s good news that the second PS Act amendment bill will contain much more substantive reform than the bill before the parliament right now.

Many people inside and outside the APS were not really surprised by Pezzullo’s actions. Clarifying Values might help fix things.

There is a lot more substance to the MOP(s) Act Amendment Bill, but, once again, a key reform proposed by the Thodey review is missing.

Merit is critical to not only fairness, non-partisanship and constraining corruption but also efficiency, effectiveness and overall civil service capability.

Any move to shift Kathryn Campbell aside before the robodebt royal commission’s final report was tabled would have led to accusations of political interference and hypocrisy.

Personal accountability in the APS means individual public servants have duties and that failing to meet them should have consequences.

Thodey’s central reforms are missing from the PS Act amendments bill. Perhaps Katy Gallagher or Patrick Gorman could clarify why?

Thodey consultations end on May 31 but the docs were only released on May 22; suspend work on this extremely disappointing effort.

Andrew Podger examines the progress made by the Morrison and Albanese governments on Thodey recommendations, and what the Budget promises.

Andrew Podger outlines how an updated APS code of conduct and values would clarify the roles of all commonwealth employees.

The News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code may satisfy Treasury, but it shouldn’t satisfy the communications department.

Andrew Podger critiques the Final Report of the Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Standards, which stemmed from the Jenkins review.