The Australian government is spending dramatically more on contracts with consultancies than it did a few years ago. The more than $1.1 billion spent on consultants last year could instead employ an additional 12,000 public servants, which would allow the skills and knowledge to be brought within the public service.

When the government does spend public money on consultancy reports and research, that advice should be published so it can be weighed up and assessed by the public.

To help ensure that consultancy work is made public, the Senate could issue a continuing order for the production of documents, covering all requests for tender/contracts for consultancy work and all reports and written advice provided by consultancies.