Tom Ravlic

Melbourne

Columnist and Contributor at Freelance

Journalist. Author. Podcast host, Critical Line Item. Contributor, The Mandarin. News tips: [email protected]

Featured in: Favicon

msn.com

smh.com.au Favicon

theage.com.au Favicon

brisbanetimes.com.au Favicon

watoday.com.au Favicon

crikey.com.au Favicon

smartcompany.com.au Favicon

thesaturdaypaper.com.au Favicon

themandarin.com.au Favicon

inkl.com + 6 more

Articles

Audit reveals poor performance reporting inside ACT government

1 week ago | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic

The ACT Audit Office has given a clean bill of health to most of the territory government’s forward-planning documents. But some practices, such as performance reporting to stakeholders, leave much to be desired. A recent audit office report states that almost 71% of government long-term plans and strategies reviewed during the audit allocate roles and responsibilities of stakeholders.
Work digs for DPS staff to cost $67.8 million

1 week ago | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic

The Department of Parliamentary Services signed a lease in 2022 for additional accommodation that will cost taxpayers $67.8 million over 11 years and 4 months, an answer to a Senate estimates question reveals. DPS officials were quizzed during the only day of Senate estimates after the March budget about the cost of the lease for the premises at West Block, intended to accommodate additional parliamentary staff.
ASX system failures result in ASIC probe

1 week ago | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission will conduct a thorough review of the Australian Securities Exchange’s governance following the ASX’s failure to manage its operational and reputational risks properly. ASIC Chair Joe Longo said the inquiry will focus on governance, capability, and risk-management frameworks across the ASX group, following a range of “serious failures” at the exchange.
Consultation processes must include expertise to enhance decision-making, academic says

1 week ago | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic

Government consultation on controversial topics, such as the prohibition on the use of puberty blockers, can result in poor decision-making if appropriate specialists are not involved, an expert from RMIT University says.
Parliamentary furniture deemed unfit for modification, DPS says

2 weeks ago | themandarin.com.au | Felicity Neale |Tom Ravlic

Furniture used in Parliament House in Canberra is generally unfit for modification to serve as a sit-stand combination for parliamentarians and their staff, an uploaded answer to Senate estimates reveals. Senator Richard Colbeck asked the Department of Parliamentary Services whether modifying existing furniture was possible as part of a discussion on expensive furniture that was built from scratch for former DPS deputy secretary Cate Saunders.
Professional development wins for APH tradies in estimates

3 weeks ago | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic

Constructing a bespoke table for a former Parliamentary Services deputy secretary was used to help tradies develop skills such as “testing and creating fabricated mock-ups”, a response by the department to a question on notice reveals. DPS secretary Jaala Hinchcliffe was asked during a one-day round of estimates in March by Senator Jane Hume what the carpenters employed by the department learned when they were tasked with building custom-made furniture for former deputy secretary Cate Saunders.
Are departments and regulators practising what they preach? Maybe not

3 weeks ago | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic

Reading reports from the Australian National Audit Office provides insight into how the machinery of government grinds its way through collective inboxes. Some of the insights are less than complimentary. They open the door to greater questions of ministers, their departments, and the regulators they ultimately oversee. Take the most recent ANAO report into the finalisation and use of statements of expectations and statements of intent.
What public servants really need to know about the $3 million super tax

3 weeks ago | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic

Superannuation is a tricky business. The public debate about the superannuation tax that the Albanese government plans to introduce has raised significant concerns. The tax is intended to affect individuals with superfund balances exceeding $3 million, and the government appears keen to pass the law. What commentators and financial advisory firms are exploring in news and social media is the meaning of this tax in various situations, given that not all superannuation funds are created equal.
Regulators apportion blame for shortage of finalised statements of expectations

3 weeks ago | themandarin.com.au | Tom Ravlic

Key regulators, such as ASIC and the AEC, are blaming their portfolio departments for the delay in the final versions of statements of expectations. A report released by the Australian National Audit Office details what departments have not finalised statements of expectations for regulators. The ANAO report sought responses from the regulators. Some pointed the finger at a department or a minister for not approving a final version of the document that details key performance expectations.
How small businesses can actually make their voices heard in Canberra

3 weeks ago | smartcompany.com.au | Tom Ravlic

The Albanese government will be in power for at least six years if the pundits are to be believed, so what should small businesses and the associations do when lobbying ministers and other parliamentarians? One of the first things you need to remember is there is one thing the Albanese government’s majority in the House of Representatives will not affect at all.