1998/09/01 by Richard Mulgan · 1 voice
Social Sciences · #Labor Movements and Unions #Political and Economic history of UK and US #Public Policy and Administration Research
paper · doi:10.1111/j.1467-8500.1998.tb01277.x
openalex publication_date 1998/09/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
The vexed question of politicisation and patronage in the Australian Public Service is explored in this article. Recent dismissals and appointments of department secretaries have raised concerns about political convenience, trends towards partisanship and the erosion of ‘frank and fearless’ advice. Alternatively, governments have come to insist on ‘partnership’ arrangements between ministers and secretaries, to enhance ‘political accountability’ and install new management teams to better implement government policy. But do such forms of politicisation risk drifting toward a new ‘spoils system’ most would want to avoid?