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Former diplomats challenge Australian government on climate change inaction
A group of 70 former Australian diplomats have written to the country’s prime minister Scott Morrison raising “deep concern” about his government’s failure to commit to climate change targets. The former diplomats, including ambassadors, high commissioners, consuls-general, and senior officials at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, warned that Australia’s “inertia” on climate…
Australians’ trust in public services on the up
According to recently released statistics from Australia’s Citizen Experience Survey, in early 2019 just over a third of respondents trusted public services, while only a quarter believed that public bodies could “successfully implement changes to meet the needs of all Australians”. However, more recent statistics point to a major uptick in trust in government as…
Top Australian former officials blast country’s ‘failure’ on climate change
Former Australian civil service leaders have condemned successive governments’ failure to tackle climate change, with former Australian Public Service chief Martin Parkinson calling their efforts “incoherent” and ex-Treasury secretary Ken Henry saying: “We have failed, no doubt about that.” Former chief scientist Professor Penny Sackett, who served as the government’s chief scientist from 2008 to…
Chinese ambassador’s threats a “wake up” call, says former APS chief
Australia’s former Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Martin Parkinson has backed calls for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. The retired civil service leader was highly critical of comments by the Chinese ambassador, who said that such an inquiry could lead Chinese nationals and businesses to boycott the country. Chinese…
Australian Public Service ‘consistently struggles’ with reform, staff survey finds
As the Australian Public Service (APS) gears up for major reforms following an independent review into its performance, an official workforce survey has revealed civil servants’ concerns over the APS’s ability to manage change effectively. The survey results, the APS report says, “could suggest that the APS consistently struggles to manage even routine, transactional change…
Keeping pace with change: an interview with former Australian civil service chief Martin Parkinson
In a world of fake news, says Martin Parkinson – the recently-retired secretary of Australia’s Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet – public servants must build a meritocratic, risk-taking public service focused on meeting citizens’ needs. By Mia Hunt “It used to be that you could have your own views, but not your own…
Australian PM promises public service shakeup
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison has set out his vision for the Australian Public Service (APS), in his first major speech to civil servants since he was elected for a second term in May. In an address at Parliament House in Canberra on Monday, Morrison said he respects the “experience, professionalism and capability” of…
“Extraordinary lapse in security” leads to reforms in Australian civil service
The Australian government is implementing information security reforms in the Australian Public Service following the revelation that secret cabinet documents ended up in a second hand shop. In February, broadcaster ABC reported that papers containing details of five cabinet meetings contained in a filing cabinet had ended up being sold to a member of the…
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Discover independent research reports, surveys and in-depth studies from Global Government Forum and knowledge partners, exploring the most important issues facing governments and the public sector. Our research provides practical insights and evidence-based recommendations for senior civil servants, policymakers and public sector leaders. Our reports combine exclusive survey data, expert analysis and interviews with government leaders from around the world to help public sector organisations improve performance, inform policy and deliver better outcomes for citizens.
Empowering Public Servants to Make Confident, Informed Decisions with Data and AI
Governments around the world are working hard to extract – and act upon – the insights held in their vast data stores, and to embrace AI and the promise it holds for innovation and transformation. At the same time, economic pressures and constrained budgets are compelling public servants to do more with fewer resources, while governments are called to respond quickly and effectively to complex challenges.
Against this backdrop, data and AI can help those working in government both to streamline their workflows and make fast, informed decisions. This in turn drives efficiency and can unlock productivity gains – and ultimately lead to improved performance and better services for citizens.
Global Government Forum surveyed over 600 civil servants worldwide to understand how data and AI are being used in government decision-making and where there are further challenges and opportunities.
Read this report for insight into how governments are using data and AI in decision-making today and the potential for the future; the major challenges to using data and AI in decision-making and how to overcome them; and how AI agents can be used in decision-making.
The report includes examples of data and AI in decision-making from countries including the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Singapore, the US, and more.
(Published September 2025)
Making Government Work: Five Pillars of a Modern, Effective Civil Service
Around the world, governments are dealing with substantial challenges – from economic stagnation to the transition to net zero, military conflicts and cyber threats. Governments are also grappling with shifting geopolitics and the rise of populism – and all of these factors are set against the emergence of new technologies, including generative AI, which have the potential to fundamentally transform every aspect of society, but which also pose huge ethical, security and regulatory questions for the public sector.
The Making Government Work: Five pillars of a modern, effective civil service report was undertaken to help identify the key characteristics needed in a modern public service, with priorities ranging across leadership, digital service delivery, workforce development, cross-departmental integration, and citizen trust.
This report has been covered by publications around the world including the Financial Times, BBC Radio 4’s PM programme, Ottawa Citizen, Fed Manager, the Mandarin and the i newspaper.
(Published August 2024)
The Future of the Finance Ministry
From setting tax rates and financial regulations that create the ground rules for national economies, to allocating – and tracking – spending for public services, finance ministries occupy an essential role at the centre of government. Geopolitical crises have reinforced the importance of finance ministries, as they tackle both immediate shocks and long-term trends such as ageing populations, the digital transition, and the impact of moves to net zero.
Against this backdrop, this global research explores what the future finance ministry looks like and how to prepare for it.
Based on interviews with 10 senior leaders from finance ministries – led by John McCarthy, chief economist in Ireland’s Department of Finance, working with Ian Hall, editor, Global Government Finance, and Richard Johnstone, executive editor, Global Government Forum – the study identifies four key themes: the evolving role of the finance ministry in response to uncertainty; the shift to more flexible finance systems that support outcomes; digital transformation and the growth of AI; and the battle for talent and trust.
(Published May 2026)
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