After sitting on Lynelle Briggs’ No Favourites report for 27 months, the Government finally decides to release. What’s the scam?
The scam is that the report‘s recommendations are largely ignored, as the Government instead opts for a new Australian Government Appointments Framework.
Covering around 200 various government board appointments, the report is scathing of current ‘jobs-for-mates’ practices, with Briggs finding
the current board appointment arrangements are not fit for purpose.
“…too often the practice in recent years has been to appoint friends of the Government to boards, either as a reward for past loyalty or to ensure alignment with government priorities and all too often these appointments have looked like forms of patronage and nepotism that should have no place in the modern Australian society.”
The report includes sensible, detailed and actionable recommendations, including measures to establish a much broader base of candidates (e.g. capable people beyond the Canberra bubble), uniform standards for assessing candidates, transparent appointment processes, and stricter limitations of tenure.
With the long-awaited release of the report, Minister for Government Services, Katy Gallagher, insisted that the Government’s new “Framework” was “informed by” Briggs’ report.
However, instead of acting on its very specific recommendations, the framework is long on rhetoric and short on real measures for change, using the typical vague language that would make Sir Humphrey Appleby proud. In essence, board appointments will remain mostly at ministers’ discretion, on a ‘best endeavours’ basis.
When appropriate and proportionate, ministers should use independent assessment panels to identify suitable candidates for appointments.
Shoulda’, coulda’, woulda’, and jobs-for-mates will endure.
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Kim Wingerei is a businessman turned writer and commentator. He is passionate about free speech, human rights, democracy and the politics of change. Originally from Norway, Kim has lived in Australia for 30 years. Author of ‘Why Democracy is Broken – A Blueprint for Change’.