This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an institution created in the aftermath of World War II to ensure the protection of people fleeing persecution. Twice awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (in 1954 and 1981), UNHCR has evolved from
A round-the-clock support line and a new police section staffed by 100 officers headline a state government’s $674 million response to its Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. The South Australian government has accepted 129 of 136 recommendations “in full, in principle or in part”, with four noted
Australia will not proceed with a permanent AI advisory board, after the federal government confirmed it has abandoned the plan despite growing pressure for stronger oversight of the technology. As reported by InnovationAus, recent answers to Senate estimates questions on notice show the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)
The CSIRO paid global consulting giant McKinsey & Company almost $750,000 for less than a month’s worth of advice with no report produced as the cash-strapped national science agency scopes plans to cut more than 1,000 jobs. Senators have blasted the agency’s profligacy, and the revelations come amid attempts by
The uncertain future of the platforms that process hundreds of billions in government payroll, tax, and levy payments is about to come into view as the Albanese government launches a broad inquiry into the payments sector, extending well beyond the Big Four’s quarrel with Apple over margins. In a cattle-prod
Australia’s prison population has increased by 6% since last year, with ABS figures for 2025 showing the number of adult prisoners at 46,998. Over the last decade, the number of adult prisoners on remand has increased to 42%, up from 31% in 2016. According to the ABS, the growth of
Band 3 Celia Street has been permanently appointed deputy secretary at the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Band 2 Jane Supit is now a deputy chief solicitor with the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS). The Australian Research Council has promoted Anthony Murfett to deputy CEO. Band 1 Lina Bui has been named chief
The embattled head of Australia’s corruption commission has defended his involvement with the defence force watchdog amid calls for him to step aside over potential conflicts of interest. Commissioner Paul Brereton disclosed he consulted with the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force on his inquiry into potential Australian war crimes
The Magistrates Court in Perth has ordered serial senate candidate nominee Rodney Culleton to pay court costs for false or misleading statements in the 2022 federal election. Coulleton’s conviction and $12,086.80 court costs relate to a false bankruptcy declaration he made to the Australian Electoral Commission in 2022. When Coulleton
Courtney Houssos wants supply chains to be more cognisant of human rights risks, with a new requirement that modern slavery be included in government tender clauses for “high risk” procurement. The NSW finance minister made the announcement on Thursday, also flagging guidance developed by the Office of the NSW Anti-slavery
The Mandarin, to put it technically, is on a tear. 2025 was a huge year for us. Our audience grew 20% year-on-year — the exact opposite of what most other media companies are experiencing. More and more senior and up-and-coming public servants are starting their day with our public interest
AI is no longer just hype, it’s a core part of the public service – right now. Almost a fifth (19%) of tasks in public sector organisations globally are supported by AI today and that’s expected to increase to 35% in two years, slightly below the figure for private sector
This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an institution created in the aftermath of World War II to ensure the protection of people fleeing persecution. Twice awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (in 1954 and 1981), UNHCR has evolved from
A round-the-clock support line and a new police section staffed by 100 officers headline a state government’s $674 million response to its Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. The South Australian government has accepted 129 of 136 recommendations “in full, in principle or in part”, with four noted
Australia will not proceed with a permanent AI advisory board, after the federal government confirmed it has abandoned the plan despite growing pressure for stronger oversight of the technology. As reported by InnovationAus, recent answers to Senate estimates questions on notice show the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)
The CSIRO paid global consulting giant McKinsey & Company almost $750,000 for less than a month’s worth of advice with no report produced as the cash-strapped national science agency scopes plans to cut more than 1,000 jobs. Senators have blasted the agency’s profligacy, and the revelations come amid attempts by
The uncertain future of the platforms that process hundreds of billions in government payroll, tax, and levy payments is about to come into view as the Albanese government launches a broad inquiry into the payments sector, extending well beyond the Big Four’s quarrel with Apple over margins. In a cattle-prod
Australia’s prison population has increased by 6% since last year, with ABS figures for 2025 showing the number of adult prisoners at 46,998. Over the last decade, the number of adult prisoners on remand has increased to 42%, up from 31% in 2016. According to the ABS, the growth of
Band 3 Celia Street has been permanently appointed deputy secretary at the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Band 2 Jane Supit is now a deputy chief solicitor with the Australian Government Solicitor (AGS). The Australian Research Council has promoted Anthony Murfett to deputy CEO. Band 1 Lina Bui has been named chief
The embattled head of Australia’s corruption commission has defended his involvement with the defence force watchdog amid calls for him to step aside over potential conflicts of interest. Commissioner Paul Brereton disclosed he consulted with the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force on his inquiry into potential Australian war crimes
The Magistrates Court in Perth has ordered serial senate candidate nominee Rodney Culleton to pay court costs for false or misleading statements in the 2022 federal election. Coulleton’s conviction and $12,086.80 court costs relate to a false bankruptcy declaration he made to the Australian Electoral Commission in 2022. When Coulleton
Courtney Houssos wants supply chains to be more cognisant of human rights risks, with a new requirement that modern slavery be included in government tender clauses for “high risk” procurement. The NSW finance minister made the announcement on Thursday, also flagging guidance developed by the Office of the NSW Anti-slavery
The Mandarin, to put it technically, is on a tear. 2025 was a huge year for us. Our audience grew 20% year-on-year — the exact opposite of what most other media companies are experiencing. More and more senior and up-and-coming public servants are starting their day with our public interest
AI is no longer just hype, it’s a core part of the public service – right now. Almost a fifth (19%) of tasks in public sector organisations globally are supported by AI today and that’s expected to increase to 35% in two years, slightly below the figure for private sector
