Changes to the Australian Public Service: some deleterious effects upon political accountability and VET policy formation and implementation

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.