Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass has lashed sloppy hiring practices across departments in a damning report that found interviewees felt the process was politicised.
The government needs frank and fearless advice from the public service to avoid making costly decisions that don’t serve taxpayers.
The ombudsman would ban the Victorian premier from selecting top bureaucrats and has warned of the risk to public funds if public servants are blindsided on major projects such as the $125 billion Suburban Rail Loop.
It’s like Yes,Minister in reverse at the highest levels of the Victorian government as billions are spent on major projects without input from the public service.
The public service union has urged the state ombudsman not to recommend restricting workers’ political rights,ahead of a report into politicisation of top government bureaucrats.
A new ruling signed off by the Remuneration Tribunal on Friday appears to revoke the lucrative compensation obligations owed to department secretaries if they are found to breach their code of conduct duties.
Top bureaucrat Michael Pezzullo has been under scrutiny over his dealings with Liberal powerbroker and lobbyist Scott Briggs.
Department of Water and Environmental Regulation staff were notified last week its Director General Michelle Andrews would not renew her contract,which expires in April next year.
Some in the racing industry thought 12 years as chair was long enough for Russell Balding,and it was time for a change. The NSW government disagreed.
Internal emails reveal the public service commissioner was concerned about “inappropriate” requests from NSW ministers for staffing appointments.
Victoria’s auditor-general says the joint venture to sell bridge safety monitors was backed by inaccurate advice and boss Campbell Rose “went against the code of conduct”.