This review, also known as the Briggs review, considers and proposes appropriate standards for the processes by which board members are appointed to Australian Government boards, with a focus on:

• clarifying the role of public sector boards and how needed skills and standards are set
• options for transparent processes to identify and recruit board members
• how Ministers are advised on selection of board members
• improving the diversity of board membership (including in terms of gender, CALD, First Nations and geographic representation on public sector boards).

The extent of what are perceived as political appointments in recent years has contributed to a climate where public trust in government has been undermined. The review found the current board appointment arrangements are not fit for purpose. It found that there are not enough checks and balances in the current appointments system to enable Ministers to balance their ministerial autonomy to make appointments directly with their accountability obligations.

The review proposes a series of reforms to the processes by which board members are identified, selected, appointed and supported in their roles. The proposed appointments model will deliver better candidates, from a wider range of circumstances, for board positions.

Key recommendations

• Independent and competitive board recruitment and appointment practices should become part of the Government’s integrity agenda.
• Operational standards should be legislated for Ministers’ board appointments processes.
• Board appointments should be for a single, standard term of four years.
• Ministerial responsibility for board appointments rests with Ministers who are accountable to the public for their decisions and actions.
• Politicians and their staffers are not to be appointed to government boards within six months of them leaving government positions or 18 months in Ministers’ portfolio areas.
• Public Service Commission assumes central agency responsibility for boards.