Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass has lashed sloppy hiring practices across departments in a damning report that found interviewees felt the process was politicised.
The ombudsman confirms Victoria’s top transport bureaucrat was kept in the dark about Australia’s most expensive infrastructure project,which was cooked up in secret.
The government needs frank and fearless advice from the public service to avoid making costly decisions that don’t serve taxpayers.
The ombudsman would ban the Victorian premier from selecting top bureaucrats and has warned of the risk to public funds if public servants are blindsided on major projects such as the $125 billion Suburban Rail Loop.
It’s like Yes,Minister in reverse at the highest levels of the Victorian government as billions are spent on major projects without input from the public service.
The public service union has urged the state ombudsman not to recommend restricting workers’ political rights,ahead of a report into politicisation of top government bureaucrats.
Former premiers including Daniel Andrews,Gladys Berejiklian,Anna Bligh and Mark McGowan are among the 600 people who have signed the statement.
Away from official positions,the premier is quietly assembling the key members of her squad.
A golf club revolt to settle a pandemic score,or a matter of Mornington Peninsula conservatives in seething disbelief at Daniel Andrews’ political success?
Department secretary Tim Ada said he didn’t inform minister Harriet Shing that lawyers had been called in because Victoria’s top public servant Jeremi Moule instructed him not to.
Labor has declared victory in Saturday’s byelection in the seat of Mulgrave to replace former premier Daniel Andrews,despite a 10 per cent swing against the party.