The Mandarin

The Mandarin is designed for leaders and executives in the public sector, as well as the various stakeholders and suppliers involved in their efforts. Our goal is for The Mandarin to serve as a hub that connects public officials and assists them in enhancing governance in Australia. It aims to provide a platform for insightful presentations, discussions, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing about public service and the individuals and challenges that come with it.

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Articles

You can't get there from here: The diabolical complexity of housing policy

3 days ago | themandarin.com.au | Bernard Keane

Ever notice that, all that politicians of various kinds always promise to do something about housing, nothing ever really seems to get done? The issue has waxed and waned in priority over various elections at various levels of government as housing affordability has steadily grown worse. After years of affordability being undermined by government handouts to first-home buyers, Kevin Rudd went to the 2007 election promising to sell surplus Defence land for housing.
The illusion of precision: How election polls shape (and mislead) voters

1 week ago | themandarin.com.au | David Schmidtchen

Election polls are a staple of modern political campaigns. We are assaulted by competing polls offering a glimpse into the future fortunes of political parties and candidates. The effects of politicians’ campaign successes and gaffes are presented in mystifying charts, and commentary focused on shifts into positive and negative ‘territory’. To the untrained eye, the percentage point variance often seems marginal and not deserving of the accompanying feverish commentary.
Public servant Anna Hough wants justice following claims of workplace bullying and discrimination

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

A career public servant has slammed the federal government for its failure to behave in a “trauma-informed manner” while dealing with her compensation claim for workplace misconduct. Anna Hough has spoken out for the first time to highlight her struggle and that of others seeking fair compensation regardless of whether they have worked for high-profile politicians or as employees for government departments.
How decision-makers can help government systems pursue citizen wellbeing

1 week ago | themandarin.com.au | Melissa Coade

A report from the Centre for Policy Development (CPD) has recommended wide-ranging structural changes to the way government operates, and how to shift the focus from treating problems once they have arisen to prevention. Crucially, the paper calls for political leaders to consider investing in public services to build a strong, well-functioning, and adaptable workforce.
‘No confidence’: Whittlesea Council health and governance issues force inquiry

1 week ago | themandarin.com.au | Melissa Coade

An independent commission of inquiry has been called to examine the “serious and systematic” governance issues of Victoria’s Whittlesea City Council. On Wednesday, state Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos ordered an inquiry into Whittlesea Council to address a litany of issues since last October’s elections. Staikos said the inquiry would have broad-ranging powers and would make recommendations to government on what legislative, regulatory, or other reforms were needed to fix the mess.
Coalition shuns recommendation to recommence Indigenous inquiry after poll

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

Only one recommendation has been made in an interim report tabled by a select committee on measuring outcomes for First Nations communities. It recommended the select committee, which was appointed last November, be reformed after the May 3 election because its work is unfinished. Committee chair and Greens Senator Dorinda Cox said continuing the committee’s work was vital to helping improve the well-being of First Nations people.
Decline in auditors requires ASIC to change approach, says CPA

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

One of Australia’s leading accounting bodies has told the Australian National Audit Office there are significant opportunities to improve the timeliness and transparency of audit inspections done by the corporate regulator, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission. CPA Australia has lodged a submission with the ANAO as part of its performance audit of the regulator’s audit enforcement initiatives. It has told the audit office that the current program leaves much to be desired.
Victorian government acts on exam bungle probe

1 week ago | themandarin.com.au | Melissa Coade

Minister for Education Ben Carroll confirmed on Tuesday that he would appoint Andrew Smith as CEO and a new interim board to lead the VCAA following a “root and branch” review of the agency. Dr Yehudi Blacher‘s first phase of the review called for better end-to-end accountability and risk management during exam development and the publication process. The review also recommended that the publication of cover pages be stopped.
Survey shows how Aussie voters score politicians' policy prowess

1 week ago | themandarin.com.au | Melissa Coade

The latest ‘Purpose of Government’ pulse survey has revealed that voters want national leaders to take long-term issues more seriously and that there is broad pessimism that our political masters do not serve citizen interests.
TPB must have reasonable timeframes for guidance development

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

The Tax Practitioners Board will have to assure a Coalition government it had reasonable transitional provisions in place for new guidance if Peter Dutton and his team win government. Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor and Luke Howarth, shadow minister for financial services, issued a statement over the weekend that flagged the processes of the tax agent regulator will be a focus if they occupy the Treasury benches.