Abstract:
The introduction of contracts for senior managers in the Australian public
service, in both state and federal spheres, in place of permanency has substantially changed
the nature of the Westminster system of government in the direction of a politicised public
service, as in the American system. Only recently through a series of political incidents has
this politicisation of the Australian public service become more widely acknowledged and
reported in the popular media. The fact that there is no longer a public service that offers
independent and fearless advice to government ministers has already resulted in major
problems in Vocational Education and Training (VET) policy formation and
implementation in Australia. Drawing upon historical, political analysis and policy analysis
approaches, this paper critically examines the changes to the Westminster system and the
impact that these changes have had upon the development and management of VET policy
in Australia. This paper briefly traces the changes to the Australian public service, driven
by economic rationalism and centred upon politicisation and privatisation, that have had
deleterious effects upon accountability and good governance, before considering the
problems and issues in VET policy adversely affecting efforts to educate a more highly
skilled and internationally competitive workforce.
