In August 2022, Virginia Bell AC was appointed to conduct an inquiry into the appointment of former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, to administer departments other than the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and related matters. This report outlines the findings from the inquiry.

After any change of prime minister or general election, a new administration is likely to bring both new policy priorities and new ministers. But making change in policy is not only about policy design and delivery, it is also about paying for those changes and...

This interim report informs the Senate about claims of public interest immunity received by the Senate Select Committee on COVID-19 in the course of its examination of the Australian government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The report discusses three claims received by the committee by...

This report provides the latest findings and policy guidance for G7 and other countries in four key areas: measuring and mainstreaming biodiversity; aligning budgetary and fiscal policy with biodiversity; embedding biodiversity in the financial sector; and improving biodiversity outcomes linked to international trade.

This short paper offers a diagnosis of the problem facing the government ‘machine’, a review of the changes recently made to it, and the Institute for Government’s recommendations on further reforms that most benefit the government, the civil service and the UK public.

Boris Johnson is said to be ready to reshuffle his ministerial team in February – this report warns that he should then keep his ministers in place. Excessive ‘churn’ means they never get properly on top of their brief. This has undermined the effectiveness of...

This document sets out how the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet intends to deliver on their responsibilities, and addresses their operating environment, their people and capability, their risk management and oversight and their key activities and performance measures.

Much like what occurs in Australia, this paper argues that while creating a new department can be useful to focus on a high priority issue or to bring together related policy areas, most changes in the United Kingdom are rushed through either to send a...

This resource was compiled by the Parliamentary Library's Research and Inquiries unit. It provides an overview of issues that were prominent during the 58th Victorian Parliament, as shown through developments in legislative action, parliamentary debate, media coverage and public research.

Administrative Arrangements Order (AAOs) formally allocate executive responsibility among ministers. They set out which matters and legislation are administered by which department or portfolio. This updated document sets out the Australian government's portfolio and department changes following the Morrison Government's re-election.

One of the key functions of the APS is how it interacts with ministers, and the nature and quality of that relationship affects the quality of public administration. This paper explores those interactions, how they have changed over time, and explores a new vision of...

This research investigates Victoria’s overarching approach to environmental governance. It provides an account of Victoria’s environment portfolio, how it has evolved to meet changing priorities, and what might be done in the future. The approach to research is informed by policy analysis, portfolio studies, and...

Drawing inspiration from the British "Home Office" model is worrisome for the immigration portfolio, writes Adele Garnier.

This quick guide summarises the history of the concept of an Australian department of homeland security since 2001.

This new edition of 'That’s it - I’m Leaving' brings the coverage of ministerial departures up to early-2017, encompassing the last 25 years of departures since the last edition was published in 1992.

For decades, the energy and environment portfolios have been run by different federal ministers, and they've often been at loggerheads over key elements of national policy. In a surprise move, the Prime Minister's reshuffle yesterday sees the two ministries combined, eliciting mixed reactions, and the...

Is Brendan Nelson “the subject of serious seduction” in his new job at Defence? Geoffrey Barker thinks not.

This brief analyses the current conundrum surrounding the exercise of ministerial discretion in migration matters in historical context.

The accountability of ministerial staff has re-emerged as an issue during the hearings of the Senate Committee inquiring into "a certain maritime incident". The growth of ministerial staff numbers and the perception that they operate independently of direct ministerial supervision suggests that new accountability mechanisms...