The federal election held on December 13, 1975, remains one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged in Australian history. Prime minister Gough Whitlam, who had previously won two elections, was controversially dismissed on November 11, 1975, by governor-general Sir John Kerr. The dismissal followed the Senate’s refusal — twice — to pass the ...
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has refused to provide her department’s Senate estimates briefing notes, citing concerns it could impact the frankness of bureaucrats when preparing for future hearings. Coalition Senator Kerryanne Liddle put the motion to the Senate to order the department to provide notes typically used as reference
If the term “Bangalore torpedo” first sounds like a naval weapon, well, think again. And be reassured that Australia’s recently activated Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise is making plenty of them. Better known as stick-bombs by virtue of explosives getting wired, strapped, or sticky-taped to the likes of a
The Australian Taxation Office has issued draft chief executive instructions on the approved uses and restrictions of workplace generative artificial intelligence to all of its 21,493 employees. The guidance comes as the federal government pumps the accelerator on the rollout of the controversial technology across the Australian Public Service.
Government approval is no longer required to make state heritage-listed properties more energy efficient, thanks to a decision to streamline regulations and make renewable energy options easier to choose. The expanded list of exemptions means formal approval from the Heritage Council of NSW will not be required if property owners
Band 3 Matt Garbutt is now CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator. Band 2 Simon Quarrell has been appointed deputy CEO for digital investment advice and sourcing at the Digital Transformation Agency. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has promoted Robert Day to first assistant secretary. Band 1 The
Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog is investigating Transport Accident Commission (TAC) employees for alleged wrongdoing in 2022 and 2023. IBAC revealed the ongoing investigation, named “Operation Carina”, in a public statement about a former TAC worker breaking the confidence of the inquiry. The individual has been charged with one count of a
When ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle exposed aggressive debt collection practices in 2017, he believed he was protecting vulnerable taxpayers. Seven years later, after criminal prosecution and a $280,000 legal bill, his case has become Australia’s most important lesson in whistleblowing—and a warning to every organisation. Despite being proven right by
For public sector leaders, the expectation is constant: deliver better services for less. Emerging technologies are frequently held up as the magic solution to achieving both. Yet new technologies rarely live up to their hype – at least not immediately. No new technology has received more hype than artificial intelligence
When Shakespeare penned Othello, a footy match was probably not the literary muse he had in mind. But ask artificial intelligence to find the parallels, and it obliges before you’ve even laced up your boots. Suddenly, Othello becomes a team captain buckling under pressure, Iago a midfield saboteur — a
Previous articles in the Prevention or patch-up? series have advocated for the introduction of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) to end poverty, guarantee all Australians a standard of reasonable and frugal comfort and to empower everyone to live with dignity. A basic income is defined as: “A periodic cash payment
Australia’s top national security bureaucrat used an AI chatbot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to his colleagues, internal documents show. As Finance Minister Katy Gallagher announces a significant government-wide AI plan to promote its use in the public service, Crikey has used freedom of information (FOI) laws to reveal how
The federal election held on December 13, 1975, remains one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged in Australian history. Prime minister Gough Whitlam, who had previously won two elections, was controversially dismissed on November 11, 1975, by governor-general Sir John Kerr. The dismissal followed the Senate’s refusal — twice — to pass the ...
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek has refused to provide her department’s Senate estimates briefing notes, citing concerns it could impact the frankness of bureaucrats when preparing for future hearings. Coalition Senator Kerryanne Liddle put the motion to the Senate to order the department to provide notes typically used as reference
If the term “Bangalore torpedo” first sounds like a naval weapon, well, think again. And be reassured that Australia’s recently activated Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise is making plenty of them. Better known as stick-bombs by virtue of explosives getting wired, strapped, or sticky-taped to the likes of a
The Australian Taxation Office has issued draft chief executive instructions on the approved uses and restrictions of workplace generative artificial intelligence to all of its 21,493 employees. The guidance comes as the federal government pumps the accelerator on the rollout of the controversial technology across the Australian Public Service.
Government approval is no longer required to make state heritage-listed properties more energy efficient, thanks to a decision to streamline regulations and make renewable energy options easier to choose. The expanded list of exemptions means formal approval from the Heritage Council of NSW will not be required if property owners
Band 3 Matt Garbutt is now CEO of the Australian Energy Regulator. Band 2 Simon Quarrell has been appointed deputy CEO for digital investment advice and sourcing at the Digital Transformation Agency. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has promoted Robert Day to first assistant secretary. Band 1 The
Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog is investigating Transport Accident Commission (TAC) employees for alleged wrongdoing in 2022 and 2023. IBAC revealed the ongoing investigation, named “Operation Carina”, in a public statement about a former TAC worker breaking the confidence of the inquiry. The individual has been charged with one count of a
When ATO whistleblower Richard Boyle exposed aggressive debt collection practices in 2017, he believed he was protecting vulnerable taxpayers. Seven years later, after criminal prosecution and a $280,000 legal bill, his case has become Australia’s most important lesson in whistleblowing—and a warning to every organisation. Despite being proven right by
For public sector leaders, the expectation is constant: deliver better services for less. Emerging technologies are frequently held up as the magic solution to achieving both. Yet new technologies rarely live up to their hype – at least not immediately. No new technology has received more hype than artificial intelligence
When Shakespeare penned Othello, a footy match was probably not the literary muse he had in mind. But ask artificial intelligence to find the parallels, and it obliges before you’ve even laced up your boots. Suddenly, Othello becomes a team captain buckling under pressure, Iago a midfield saboteur — a
Previous articles in the Prevention or patch-up? series have advocated for the introduction of a Universal Basic Income (UBI) to end poverty, guarantee all Australians a standard of reasonable and frugal comfort and to empower everyone to live with dignity. A basic income is defined as: “A periodic cash payment
Australia’s top national security bureaucrat used an AI chatbot to ghostwrite speeches and messages to his colleagues, internal documents show. As Finance Minister Katy Gallagher announces a significant government-wide AI plan to promote its use in the public service, Crikey has used freedom of information (FOI) laws to reveal how
