Bronwen Overton-Clarke

Senior public servants know well the executive assistant plays a vital role, as an unofficial communication channel and guide to the bureaucratic labyrinth. But gauging the mood on office politics is no excuse for gossip.

Chief human resources officers should have a seat at the executive table and help drive business outcomes. Public service commissions in Australia and New Zealand have a plan to raise the HR profile.

Five years in the making, reform of the ACT public service legislation confronts a common paradox: cross-government collaboration is vital, but the Westminster tradition naturally creates bureaucratic silos.

Twenty this year, the ACT service is getting a new governing bill creating a new senior executive service, new principles and values and a new commissioner.