The Albanese government promised to end political patronage in statutory appointments, but has instead chosen a non-binding framework that preserves ministerial discretion and limits accountability.

A repost from 4 December 2025

The Albanese government has decided not to restrict its flexibility to appoint mates to statutory officer positions. What a surprise.

The ALP rightly and self-righteously criticised the Morrison government for its wholesale political patronage. Its habits were severe enough in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal to cause its abolition and replacement.

As a matter of principle appointments to statutory positions should be as far distant from politics as possible because the fundamental reason for their existence is to perform functions removed from government influence. The ABC or the SBS should not be subject to Pravda-like political direction.

Many governments have not been so sensitive, although Morrison’s took things to rarely seen extremes.

In a flush of reformist enthusiasm after it was first elected the Albanese government vowed to knock off the “jobs for mates” habits. It engaged Lynelle Briggs, a former Public Service Commissioner, to advise on what to do so.

Her report was signed off in August 2023 and until this month it was kept under the tightest of wraps because it was alleged to be a Cabinet document. That’s nonsense, of course, as standard good practice is for reports to be made public and used for consultation prior to final government........

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