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Books & Arts Graeme Dobell 23 May 2018 Books | Two diplomats — one a restless innovator, the other “a master of benign neglect” — helped shape Australia’s opening up to the world
National Affairs Grant Hoole 23 May 2018 South Australia’s decision to expand ICAC’s powers raises thorny questions about the balance between fairness and openness International Paul ’t Hart 12 March 2018 Even in modern Germany, government maladministration can have tragic effects National Affairs Paddy Gourley 16 May 2016 Another in a long line of reports on the Australian Public Service fails to understand the nature of the public sector, writes Paddy Gourley Essays & Reportage Jonathan Malloy 10 May 2016 As the election campaign gets under way, political scientist Jonathan Malloy reflects on four sometimes-surprising months in the national capital
Essays & Reportage Anne Tiernan 3 February 2016 Why do parties have so much trouble learning from past successes and failures, asks Anne Tiernan
National Affairs James Murphy 14 December 2015 The Victorian auditor-general’s criticism of the quality of bureaucratic advice on the contentious East West Link raises broader concerns about the public service, writes… Books & Arts Paddy Gourley 1 December 2015 Books | Laura Tingle is right to say that government must become better at remembering, writes Paddy Gourley, but her argument has memory lapses of its own Books & Arts Jane Goodall 13 July 2015 Books | Why are we angered by stories of Greek hairdressers retiring at fifty on public pensions, asks Jane Goodall, yet unmoved at the thought of bailed-out… National Affairs Rodney Tiffen 5 June 2014 There’s a worrying thread running through decisionmaking in Canberra, writes Rodney Tiffen
National Affairs 3 September 2013 The immigration department is months behind in answering questions from Senate estimate committees – questions that would provide vital information about the…
National Affairs 20 October 2011 The events leading up to Allan Asher’s resignation highlight the need for the ombudsman to be free of government and departmental control, argues John Wood National Affairs Norman Abjorensen 10 September 2009 Protection for whistleblowers in Australia is patchy and inconsistent, writes Norman Abjorensen National Affairs Geoffrey Barker 25 June 2009 Over the past week Canberra has fiddled while the world burns, writes Geoffrey Barker National Affairs Geoffrey Barker 12 February 2009 The contrasting treatment of Trent Smith and Matthew Hyndes raises troubling questions about the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, writes Geoffrey Barker