The investigation followed a 2022 referral from state parliament’s upper house, alleging that the public service had been “stacked” with party operatives. The investigation did not find evidence of this but did, however, find the public sector had been politicised in other, equally pervasive ways.

The investigation found that government bypassing of traditional bureaucratic structures, concentration of decision-making outside of specialist departments, and a culture of ‘over responsiveness’ towards the preferences of ministers were all impacting the public sector. In particular, the investigation highlighted the early development of the Suburban Rail Loop and the planning of the Commonwealth Games as being highly problematic in terms of excessive secrecy and the use of consultants. 

The Ombudsman's verdict is that politicisation – actual and perceived – is a problem undermining public administration in Victoria.

Key areas for reform

• To enhance public service independence by establishing an independent Head responsible for evaluating, recommending and employing department Secretaries and other agency leaders, rather than the Premier
• To safeguard merit selection at senior levels and have the existing Victorian Public Sector Commission clarify how the law applies to direct appointments, and closely monitor and report on their use
• Improve career stability for senior public servants and remove barriers to ‘frank and fearless’ advice, and
• To improve public sector transparency, by rethinking Cabinet confidentiality, specifically by enabling the Ombudsman to obtain Cabinet information where necessary in the public interest.