This review considers and proposes appropriate standards for the processes by which board members are appointed to Australian Government boards. It finds the current board appointment arrangements are not fit for purpose and proposes a series of reforms to the processes by which board members are identified, selected, appointed and supported in their roles.

The Code of Conduct for Ministers sets out the expectations the Australian Government has of all its ministers. When taking decisions in, or in connection with, their official capacity, Ministers must act in the public interest. Ministers also have a special responsibility for ensuring their offices, and the Parliament as a whole, are safe and...

Ministerial staff in South Australia are appointed outside merit-based recruitment processes and do not undergo thorough pre-employment screening or security checks, leaving the government exposed to significant corruption risks. This report makes recommendations to the Premier to improve weaknesses in the governance of ministerial staff.

This report is the culmination of three years of investigation into the culture and practice of administering the Freedom of Information (FOI) Acts across the Victorian, South Australian and Western Australian states, as well as the culture of implementing information access systems overall. The report reveals a concerning lack of engagement from government ministers, despite...

The Royal Commission report into the failed Robodebt scheme offered a unique opportunity to reflect on the performance of Australian government institutions. This project, based directly on the evidence presented in the Commission’s hearings and report, focuses on the distinctive contribution of the Australian Public Service (APS), particularly its culture. It selects three general areas...