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Public service jobs ‘front and centre’ in Australian election contest, says minister
Investment in the government workforce is critical to delivering high-quality public services and proposed job cuts by the opposition Coalition would “devastate communities nationwide” and “cripple essential services”, Australia’s minister for the public service Katy Gallagher said this week. Public service jobs and services are “shaping up to be front and centre of the upcoming…
Australian government accepts Robodebt Royal Commission recommendations
The Australian government has accepted the recommendations of the Robodebt Royal Commission and committed to funding their implementation as well as to improving public trust. The commission’s report, delivered in July this year, offered 56 recommendations, all of which the government has accepted in full or in principle. The government clarified that where it agreed…
New phase of reform for Australian Public Service underway, says minister
An initial 12-month phase focusing on the design of the Australian Public Service (APS) reform agenda is complete and a second rebuilding phase is set to begin that aims to restore capacity and capability in the service Australian Public Service (APS) reform is now entering its second phase, according to senator Katy Gallagher, the minister…
Australian Public Service chief promises ‘unwavering focus on integrity and capability’ in Robodebt aftermath
The Australian Public Service (APS) has had a challenging year following a damning review into the government failings that led to the Robodebt scandal, head of the APS Dr Gordon de Brouwer has acknowledged in his annual report. The Robodebt Royal Commission examined the use of an automated debt recovery system in government that burdened…
Stark implications for Australian Public Service in wake of Robodebt report
The release of the Royal Commission report into the Robodebt scheme has exploded a hand grenade under Australian politics and government, identifying problems across the Australian Public Service that will need to be addressed The report of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme, published on 7 July 2023, has found significant failings across the…
Services Australia exposed in robodebt deal controversy; UK education department scolded for data protection law breach: policy & delivery news in brief
Global Government Forum’s weekly digest of the news you need to know but might have missed. Services Australia gave US$3.6m in additional work to prosecuted robodebt collector It has been revealed that Services Australia awarded two big contract renewals to a debt-collection firm that had previously been prosecuted and made to pay penalties for misconduct…
Australian PM calls inquiry into ‘robodebt’ scandal; Philippines government to invest in climate change measures: policy & delivery news in brief
Global Government Forum’s weekly digest of the news you need to know but might have missed. Australian PM calls inquiry into ‘robodebt’ scandal The Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has announced an inquiry into the ‘robodebt’ scandal in which federal government chased more than 400,000 people for inflated or non-existent debts. The royal commission –…
Labor promises public inquiry into ‘Robodebt’ failings if it wins Australian election
Australia’s opposition Labor Party has said it will call a royal commission to investigate the failings of a debt-calculation system that resulted in more than 400,000 people being chased for inflated or non-existent debts, if it wins the federal election later this month. The system, dubbed ‘Robodebt’, was used by Centrelink – the agency responsible…
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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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