This Month
Debelle interviews AOFM officials as review deadline nears
Former central banker Guy Debelle has been interviewing officials and financial market participants over the past few weeks, with more interviews expected this month.
Public servant wages bomb could cost NSW $300m
At least 300,000 public servants in NSW will be eligible for a $1000 cash payment if inflation hits 4.5 per cent.
Cost per public servant rises to $128,000 in Queensland
The Queensland government has begun negotiations for public sector wage increases as states are warned to rein in spending.
Australia’s best-paid public servants revealed
New data shows which government agencies are splashing out on their staff – women as well as men – and which aren’t.
February
‘I’ve operated professionally and with integrity’: AOFM boss
Anna Hughes, the head of the federal government’s $1 trillion debt office, has defended herself, following the launch of an independent review of the agency.
Staff at $1trn debt agency blew whistle to Treasury
Australian Office of Financial Management employees raised concerns about the restructuring, loss of workers, and the performance under chief executive Anna Hughes.
Treasury’s $1trn debt office faces ‘independent review’
Former RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle will review the Australian Office of Financial Management’s governance and capabilities following a staff exodus over the past year.
1 per cent: Failure to track efficiency on $856b government spending
The auditor-general found that only one per cent of measures used to monitor the performance of 21 government departments focused on spending “efficiency”.
January
Push to make 38-week golden parachute standard in NSW public service
A generous 38-week separation payment for senior executives has triggered payouts of more than $200,000. This union wants all NSW public servants to benefit.
Labor’s public service forecasts off by 28,000 jobs and $11.8b
The independent budget watchdog has estimated that the number of public servants would have to fall by 28,000 for Labor to meet its budget forecasts.
NSW public servants took home an extra $4000 each last year
Pay satisfaction in the state’s public sector is up after an average 4 per cent rise last year, sending the median salary to almost $105,000.
Chalmers’ budget blowouts echo Britney’s ‘Oops, I did it again’
Our silly budget reporting rules allow a completely cooked policymaking disaster to show up as large budgetary savings made by our very responsible treasurer.
Record $47.8b budget ‘error’ puts public service forecasts on notice
Hidden in Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ budget papers, a $48 billion correction to spending forecasts has put a spotlight on the accuracy of advice to cabinet.
Big business thumbs its nose at ASIC alumni
Accepting a commissioner appointment at the Australian Securities and Investments Commission is not recommended for those seeking careers on a top-tier board.
PM’s department scores badly for ‘churn and burn’ culture
A review into the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet gave the worst possible score on strategic workforce planning and use of data.
Rise of public service juniors building risk of ‘rookie errors’
The cost of running the federal bureaucracy has blown out by 38 per cent to $111 billion, but the proportion of highly experienced staff is near record lows.
ACCC to use AI to detect bid rigging on tenders
Government project bids will be scrutinised by technology to detect and prosecute companies attempting to rip off taxpayers, the competition watchdog warns.
December 2025
Tax revenue surge saves NSW budget after $2.9b wages blowout
The Minns Labor government is preparing for an election in 2027 by winding down spending on mega-projects and promising no new metro lines after the Metro West.
Chalmers’ fake budget repair makes productivity challenge more urgent
The treasurer’s failure to start genuine fiscal repair means the May budget will have to do even more heavy lifting on economic reform.
Minister’s $100k work trip shows age of entitlement far from over
Anika Wells’ conduct is merely a symptom of a broader entitlement culture in Canberra that is allowing indulgence, misconduct and secrecy to fester.
