Michael Mintrom

Oct 30, 2024 | themandarin.com.au | Julian Bajkowski |Tom Ravlic |Michael Mintrom |Stephen Bartos

There are times when it can just be better not to know how the sausage is made. One of the key reasons for the National Anti-Corruption Commission’s initial decision not to proceed with a further investigation into the six public servants referred to by the watchdog in the sealed section of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme’s Report is that, as horrid and reprehensible as it was, framing the scandal in a classical definition of ‘corruption’ is quite a tough ask.

Oct 30, 2024 | themandarin.com.au | Dan Holmes |Tom Ravlic |Michael Mintrom |Stephen Bartos |Daniel Holmes

The national anti-corruption watchdog head has been found to have engaged in misconduct when the body decided not to investigate six people associated with the illegal robodebt scheme. The inspector of the National Anti-Corruption Commission reviewed its decision not to pursue six people mentioned in the robodebt royal commission report, finding commissioner Paul Brereton didn’t recuse himself after a conflict of interest.

Oct 29, 2024 | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic |Michael Mintrom |Stephen Bartos |Sean Innis

More than half of the cases managed by the Parliamentary Workplace Support Services came from MPs’ offices, according to its annual report. The PWSS, which provides counselling and training services to help politicians, their staff and others working in parliamentary workplaces, dealt with 339 cases between October 1, 2023 and June 30. Just over 190 came from those who work for members of parliament.

Oct 28, 2024 | themandarin.com.au | Julian Bajkowski |Tom Ravlic |Michael Mintrom |Stephen Bartos

Substantially bolstered competition policies that place systemic, ongoing downward pressure on inflation and price-gouging enabled by unchallenged market power are fast emerging as a key area of electorally saleable policy reform ahead of the coming federal election.

Oct 28, 2024 | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic |Michael Mintrom |Stephen Bartos |Daniel Holmes

The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) has ranked federal departments and agencies in a four-year review of performance audits. ANAO scored portfolio groups out of four, based on performance audit outcomes from 2019-20 to 2023-24. The Department of Parliamentary Services and Veterans’ Affairs topped the list, with largely effective conclusions. Both agencies received three out of four, beating out Social Services, Education and Employment and Workplace Relations.