Michael Keating

The head of the Australian Public Service will make a public statement regarding his investigation into former Nationals deputy Bridget McKenzie’s handling of a sports grants scheme.

The process to select new submarines reflects a long-standing view that civilians cannot be allowed to question military expertise. Michael Keating argues defence planning and acquisitions involve considerations that range well beyond military expertise and the department’s advice should be contestable.

Advice from the Department of Defence must be subject to more scrutiny from other agencies, according to the review of Australia’s Future Submarine Program. Part of the problem is that it enjoys a “privileged position” in the public service, according to the report.

Many of you will have read one or more of the policy essays published earlier this year as part of a series on “Fairness, Opportunity and Security: Filling the Policy Vacuum”, which is now also the title of the book of those essays.

The process of developing public policy can alarm and frustrate academics. But philosopher-kings and benevolent technocrats are not the answer, a forum on where science fits into policymaking heard.