Bombshell report into Victorian Labor public sector finds ‘culture of fear’
A bombshell report into one state’s public sector has revealed it is ruled by a “culture of fear”, with a warning of a “creeping politicisation” of the service.
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A bombshell report has found Victoria’s public sector is ruled by a “culture of fear” and a “creeping politicisation”, with the Ombudsman noting “cracks” are appearing in the pillars “upholding responsible government”.
Ombudsman Deborah Glass’ scathing findings were tabled in Victorian parliament on Wednesday after a longstanding investigation into allegations the public sector was being “politicised”.
Her office was first tasked with investigating the claims in February 2022 after a referral from dumped Labor minister and former powerbroker Adem Somyurek.
The Ombudsman’s office cleared these specific claims in what has been called one of the most intensive investigations in the office’s 50-year history.
“Our extensive investigation, conducted across multiple fronts, found no direct evidence of widespread partisan hiring of the kind suggested in the Legislative Council referral,” Ms Glass said on Wednesday.
But in her findings, Ms Glass said the public service had been politicised in “other, equally pervasive ways”.
The Ombudsman’s report found frequent “direct appointments” of former ministerial staffers to government departments, “rushed and shoddy” recruitment practices and issues with “poor record keeping” and “opaque” selection methods for roles.
Public sector confidence had also been “undermined” due to the “frequent sidestepping” of open and advertised processes.
Ms Glass said the growth and influence of the Premier’s office had also raised concerns.
“In 2022, the Victorian Premier had roughly as many staffers as the Australian Prime Minister and NSW Premier combined,” Ms Glass said.
She also noted many people were “concerned and fearful” – a signal to the government that “all is not well”.
“A culture of fear in the upper echelons of the public sector does not support frank and fearless advice,” Ms Glass explained in her findings.
Another key finding was the “marginalisation” of the public sector and an “erosion” of a core Westminster principle of a public service providing “frank and fearless advice” to the government.
Ms Glass specifically took aim at the early assessment of the Suburban rail loop – a $200bn project to build 90km of railway line stretching from Melbourne’s east to west – approved under former leader Daniel Andrews.
She said the project was “subject to excessive secrecy” and “proved up” by consultants, not public servants.
“Its announcement ‘blindsided’ the agency set up by the same government to remove short-term politics from infrastructure planning,” Ms Glass said.
“The lack of rigorous public sector scrutiny over such projects before they are announced poses obvious risks to public funds.”
Ms Glass’ report identified four key areas for reform and eight recommendations.
One of them includes the establishment of a head of public service to replace the premier as the employer of department secretaries and administrative office heads.
She also highlighted the need to crack down on direct appointments to fill senior roles.
“Our recommendations speak to the need for greater independence in the appointment of public officials and improved security against ‘at will’ termination to mitigate the fear of speaking out,” Ms Glass said.
“But nothing will change without a recognition at the highest levels of government that change is necessary.”
Originally published as Bombshell report into Victorian Labor public sector finds ‘culture of fear’
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