October
Corruption chief ‘engaged in misconduct’ on stopping robo-debt probe
Anti-corruption chief Paul Brereton should have excused himself completely from decisions involving a former military colleague and robo-debt chief Kathryn Campbell.
US-style CDC to co-ordinate response, combat fake news
A new agency will be charged with preparing against infectious disease, after a review found a lack of real-time data reduced trusts in pandemic restrictions.
- Analysis
- COVID inquiry
We should never see such an old-school pandemic response again
At the next pandemic, Australia should focus on key risk groups and be driven by reliable official public data.
- Analysis
- Government Observed
Victoria’s $8b black box, stamped confidential
In 2022, pandemic-indebted Victoria sold its motor registry to a consortium led by Macquarie Bank. Two years later there is not much to show for it, and the secretive registry is free from scrutiny.
NSW baulks at refunding $144m unlawfully taken in card fees
Service NSW and Revenue NSW government levied residents $144 million in card fees over eight years despite the government having legal advice it was unlawful
Israel apartment bombing captured in rare detail
NSW government unlawfully collected $144m in card fees; Lehrmann wins cost appeal; former Abercrombie & Fitch chief arrested on sex-trafficking charges. Follow the latest news here.
‘Nothing is stopping it’: spring fears for avian flu on the move
Authorities are on red alert for any springtime outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu, as an army of citizen scientists look for early signs of the virus.
Liberals draw few conclusions from NSW teal victory
A teal independent has wrestled another blue-ribbon seat from the Liberals, this time in NSW, but the party is reluctant to draw conclusions.
Small business wants out of privacy laws as data breaches rise 215pc
The small business lobby is pushing to limit the reach of Labor’s overhaul of the Privacy Act to firms with annual turnover above $10 million, up from the current threshold of $3 million.
Office distractions hinder workplace productivity: study
Fewer distractions and better supervision have emerged as critical ingredients to driving better productivity returns from hybrid working.
- Analysis
- Government Observed
From small budget changes, big things grow
Minor technical tweaks by government can drive big changes. Including the economic benefits of First Nations culture into NSW budgeting is a game-changer.
X wanted to avoid exploitation rules because it’s not Twitter any more
Australia’s eSafety commissioner Julie Inman Grant has won the latest court battle against Elon Musk but faces more hurdles as the tech billionaire fights her attempts to regulate the internet.
- Analysis
- Government Observed
Why measuring public sector productivity is so slippery
When Productivity Commission researchers examined past assessments of the health system’s productivity earlier this year, they were pleasantly surprised.
September
Airstrikes on central Beirut ahead of possible land battle
Productivity goes backward in June quarter; Labor records $15.8 billion surplus; Hezbollah flag wavers should be arrested, says Dutton. Follow updates here.
Australia’s new pandemic playbook
On the eve of the release of the national COVID-19 review, 10 key actions have emerged for when a similar pathogen hits Australia.
Infection super agency to lead future pandemic response
A new Australian Centre for Disease Control will get powers to manage any future pandemic, under the national COVID-19 review due to be handed to government.
Sydney University boss Mark Scott admits he failed Jewish students
A fiery Senate hearing was told a leading university failed to ensure the safety of Jewish students, but university leaders denied that antisemitism was endemic on campuses.
True blue dilemma: what makes a business Australian?
As the Albanese government prepares to throw billions of dollars at its signature Made in Australia scheme, there is no agreed definition on what makes an Australian business.
Top bureaucrat breached code of conduct 12 times during robo-debt
A review has found 12 public servants, including department secretary Kathryn Campbell, breached the public service code of conduct 97 times during the notorious debt recovery scheme.
Anti-corruption commission clears former ASIC deputy Karen Chester
The National Anti-Corruption Commission has sought to protect against unfair reputation damage, clearing former ASIC deputy chairman Karen Chester of corrupt behaviour