Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas has conceded there has been a relaxation of control under new Premier Jacinta Allan.
The ombudsman found a “culture of fear” in the “upper echelons of the public sector” that did not support frank and fearless advice.
Mr. Pallas, responding to questions regarding the leadership style of current Premier Allan, said it was “probably true to say that there’s been a bit more of a relaxation on central control.”
“What it tells us is she is going to be her own person. She’s going to expect the same level, or perhaps a higher level, of effort from the ministers.”
At the time, Ms. Allan said her leadership style would be driven by her values including hard work, equality of opportunity, working families, and the environment.
Too Many Staffers Hired by Victorian Government: Ombudsman
The Victorian ombudsman Deb Glass, in her report released on Dec. 6, revealed in 2022 that Victorian Premier Andrews had as many staffers as the Australian prime minister and New South Wales premier combined.“Decisions made in ‘echo chambers,’ not subject to the scrutiny of expert career officials, do not make for good public administration,” she said.
“While it is impossible to quantify the impact of marginalisation on either the public interest or the public purse, we should all be worried about the trend.”
Further, Ms. Glass revealed “creeping politicisation is a reality in Victoria, and requires urgent attention.”
She said the Ombudsman was “deeply troubled” by the number of people who were afraid to speak.
“While the response to our request for submissions was overwhelming, particularly from current and former senior public officials with deep knowledge of the issues we were examining, many more declined to speak on the record,” she said.
“Two sentiments stood out—concern and fear. Concern about what people saw as the quickening corrosion of longstanding Westminster principles of responsible government.
“Fear that if they spoke up, if they were in any way identifiable as having done so, their careers would be finished.”