Writer
Andrew Podger
Andrew Stuart Podger, AO is a retired Australian senior public servant. He is currently Professor of Public Policy at the Australian National University.
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NSW Inquiry into Trade Commissioner appointment has lessons beyond NSW
The former NSW Public Service Commissioner, Graeme Head, provided the Premier with a most carefully considered report on the processes leading to John Barilaro’s appointment as Senior Trade and Investment Commissioner. Continue reading »
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Politicisation in Australia – A problem that crosses jurisdictions and parties
The striking evidence of politicisation of public services in Queensland, NSW and Victoria, after the evidence about the Commonwealth, demonstrates that the problem is pervasive across Australian jurisdictions and is not restricted to one side of politics. Continue reading »
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The Gaetjens’ valedictory
I do not know the former Secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Phil Gaetjens personally, but others who do and whose judgment I respect have long told me of his competence as both an economist and a manager. Continue reading »
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Reforming the MOP(S) Act and the conduct of ministerial advisers
While the introduction of the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act back in 1984 did thwart an attempt at the time to allow political appointments into the APS and regularised the employment arrangements for the growing numbers of staff of ministers and MPs, the Act has not been reviewed since. Continue reading »
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New Heads of Departments in Canberra
The appointments announced by the Prime Minister on Wednesday 22 June seem mostly sensible, offering the APS a more professional leadership which can both provide strong support for the Government and demonstrate its impartiality in its policy advising and management of programs. Continue reading »
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The Administrative Arrangements Order of the Albanese Government-a curate’s egg
The Albanese ministry and Administrative Arrangements Order represent a considerable improvement on the structures the Morrison Government used, but they could have been much better. Continue reading »
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Next steps: governing well
The Prime Minister elect made a couple of important comments on Saturday night that indicate the early steps he plans to take to begin governing. Continue reading »
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Addressing democracy’s international decline
The theme of the American Society for Public Administration’s annual conference in March was ‘Democracy under Threat’. This was in response not only to troubles in the US but to falling appreciation of democratic principles in other Western countries and the rise of authoritarianism elsewhere. Continue reading »
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If I were the minister for the public service in a new government
Improving the capability of the APS, and making best use of it, is the responsibility of all ministers with the Prime Minister being responsible for setting the overall climate. Continue reading »
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Rebuilding Australian Public Service capability – Part 2
This two-part article sets out the main measures a new Labor Government should take to rebuild the capability of the APS which would not represent a partisan agenda but could attract broad support from the Parliament. Continue reading »
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Rebuilding capability in the Australian Public Service – Part 1
In an article last December I commented on the final report of the Senate Public Administration and Finance References Committee inquiry into the current capability of the APS. Continue reading »
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PM&C is damaging the integrity and reputation of the public service
At the heart of Senator Rex Patrick’s attack on a senior public servant was a call for the public service to be more independent and impartial. Continue reading »
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Australia doesn’t need a royal commission to fix its broken media
A disappointing media diversity report was predictable and largely unhelpful. Here is how to address the genuine problems with the Australian media. Continue reading »
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Partisanship undermines another opportunity for APS reform
A Senate committee’s report on public service capability is not without merit, but the prospect of significant progress is hampered by political motivations. Continue reading »
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Frank and fearless? The insidious politicisation of the public service
Public servants’ independence continues to be eroded by the use of consultants, closer control of communications and weakening of checks and balances. Continue reading »
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Journalism needs more than better protection, it needs better standards
Nearly a decade since two separate reviews recommended an overhaul of media regulation, neither recommendation has been implemented. Continue reading »
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Nuclear submarines: We don’t know the costs and we don’t know the risks
The nuclear submarine deal with the US and the UK upends Australia’s carefully thought out forward planning in defence, without a clear explanation to the nation of the ramifications. Continue reading »
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Fix the means test for a consumer-friendly retirement income system
Australia’s retirement income system needs reform to make it more secure and user friendly. Continue reading »
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Our Democracy Needs Serious Reform
The Australian Government may be right to express concerns about China’s recent domestic and international behaviour under President Xi Jinping. But claims of having superior democratic values might have more credibility if the Government understood and genuinely upheld them. Continue reading »
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Respect for the APS did not last long
Praise of the Australian Public Service for its COVID 19 efforts last year, and appearances of respecting its policy contribution, seem now to have disappeared. The PM’s disdain of the public service as a key institution in our democracy, shown in his response to the Thodey Report in December 2019 and his earlier disparaging of Continue reading »
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Public service must learn from robodebt fiasco
Justice Murphy of the Federal Court castigated the Commonwealth in unprecedented terms in his judgment approving settlement of the class action on behalf of those affected by Robodebt. Continue reading »
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Respecting the distinct roles of the ADF and the APS
The ADF and the APS are institutions in their own right, and are not just subject to the Government’s directions. Their roles should be respected, recognising their commitment to serving the public and their focus on impartiality and the longer-term interests of Australians. Continue reading »
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What values should we expect among the ‘profession of arms’?
Dutton’s ambiguous statement telling soldiers the Government ‘has their back’ has added to the damage. Moreover, he has politicised the system of military honours. Labor deserves no less condemnation for going along with this interference. By not resigning in protest, General Angus Campbell has left uncertainty about the ADF’s commitment to repair the cultural problems Continue reading »
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Response to Brendan Coates on Retirement Income System
While Brendan Coates makes some valid criticisms of Paul Keating’s recent claims about Australia’s retirement income system, his own claims and assumptions (and those of the Retirement Income Review) are also open to question. Continue reading »
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Is Australia’s retirement income system delivering on its potential?
‘The Australian retirement income system is effective, sound and its costs are broadly sustainable’ according to the Retirement Income Review chaired by Mike Callaghan. Continue reading »
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Addressing politicians’ and political staff behaviour
The depressing stories coming out of Parliament House reinforce the need to review the Members of Parliament (Staffing) Act and the processes for overseeing the behaviour of ministers and other MPs as well as MOPS staff. Continue reading »
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Risky business: The act governing treatment of parliamentary staff (MOPS) needs overhaul
Is it asking too much to expect parliamentary staff, who are paid by taxpayers and exercise privileged influence if not direct public power, to behave with high ethical standards? The absence of clear lines of accountability and clear behavioural expectations is no longer acceptable. Continue reading »
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Responding to Callaghan: completing Australia’s retirement income system
The Retirement Income Review (Callaghan) Report concluded that the Australian retirement income system is effective, sound and its costs are broadly sustainable. Continue reading »
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Where are the true, small-l liberal conservatives?
Australian conservatives seem to have lost some of their traditional commitment to institutions and the liberalism they protect. Continue reading »
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Academic engagement with China is not a security risk: it is an investment in a shared more liberal world
The Foreign Relations (State and Territory Arrangements) Bill 2020 currently before the Parliament would require State and Territory entities to seek the approval of the Minister for Foreign Affairs for any proposed ‘arrangement’ with a ‘core foreign entity’; existing ‘arrangements’ would also be subject to approval. The bill may be presented as ‘country agnostic’ but Continue reading »
