Labor vowed to end ‘jobs for mates’ but ignored review
Labor has been criticized for continuing to allow a minister to freely choose public sector appointments, despite an independent process being proposed to eliminate spousal jobs.
Former civil service commissioner Lynelle Briggs called for an end nepotism and nepotism by ministers who appoint political allies to public sector boards.
The review to strengthen the integrity of appointments was commissioned by Chancellor of the Exchequer Katy Gallagher in 2023 after she accused the former coalition government of policing a “jobs for friends” culture.
The review, titled No Favourites, found that the coalition and Labor were appointing government friends to boards, either as a reward for past loyalty or to “ensure alignment with government priorities”.
“They have failed the Australian people, undermined the integrity and effectiveness of the public sector and exposed ministers to unnecessary risks,” he said in his report, published on Tuesday after it was handed over to the government two years ago.
Ms Briggs found that although only six to seven per cent of board appointments could be described as political, half of them were direct appointments by the minister without any formal appointment process.
This increased the public perception that all ministerial appointments were political and “contributed to an environment of weakening public trust in the government”.
Ms Briggs said the practice was not contrary to legislation but the processes were not fit for purpose and suggested consistent, independent standards for recruitment were legislated so ministers could be kept at arm’s length.
He argued that politicians and employees should be prohibited from being appointed within six months of leaving government posts, and ministers should not be allowed to make direct appointments six months before elections.
“Such legacies in the final days of a government are shameless, unwelcome by the public and bring discredit to governments,” he said.
But Labor rejected key advice and was released instead seven-point frame It contains principles and guidance regarding the making of appointments.
Ministers will retain the power to appoint people without an independent selection process in connection with their own departments or by open tender, and will not have to formally justify why the appointment is being made.
“Knowing the scope of the different appointments that occur allows for some flexibility,” Senator Gallagher said.
The framework acknowledged that the minister should be transparent about his selection, but that this could take the form of information contained in a media release and that no formal justification needed to be made for the appointment to be hand-selected.
A minister will only need to use an independent assessment panel to determine the best candidate “where appropriate and proportionate”.
According to the framework, “Ministers should be transparent about the appointments they make or recommend to be made and any processes they employ in connection with those appointments, and should be prepared to justify them publicly.”
Senator Gallagher also dismissed the need to legislate the framework, saying it would add nothing.
Greens Senator Barbara Pocock, who had a heated argument at a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, said there would be no repercussions for not complying with the framework.
But Senator Gallagher said ministers were accountable to the public and their outcomes depended on “how the public judge you”.
Catherine Williams, of the Center for Public Integrity, said the government was doing a disservice to the Australian people by not adopting all the recommendations.
Sophie Scamps, who introduced a private member’s bill to stamp out crony culture by requiring an independent appointment process, said the government’s response had fallen well short of expectations.
“Unless these reforms are included in law, this culture of nepotism is unlikely to change,” the independent MP said.
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