A positive partnership: public servants in ministerial offices

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Australian system of government was founded on the Westminster tradition, which relies on the binary relationship between Ministers and the Australian Public Service (APS). However, the increasing number of ministerial advisers over the past 40 years has changed the balance of power in the Australian executive. While public servants are able to work in a Minister's office, this article considers whether the movement of public servants between the public service and ministerial offices has the effect of politicising the role of the APS. Based on 22 interviews with current and former Commonwealth Ministers, public servants and ministerial advisers, the authors argue that public servants gaining experience in ministerial offices is beneficial to both the APS and the Minister's office. This is because public servants are exposed to the political side of government which helps improve the output of the department, while the Minister's office gains technical expertise. Despite these benefits, there appears to be fewer public servants working in ministerial offices over recent years. This article considers the benefits of public servants working in a ministerial office, why the movement has reduced, and explores ways in which this can be changed to support the executive governance of Australia.