Australia’s top public servant says he has been shocked by a year of scandals. 

Professor Glyn Davis, head of the public service and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's chief adviser, has reflected on a tumultuous year in Canberra. 

The robo-debt scandal, multiple ministries led by Scott Morrison, PwC tax leaks, and unlawful grants exposed by audit reports have uncovered deep-rooted issues within the Australian government.

“It's been a year of shocks,” Professor Davis has told the AFR. 

He says he acknowledges the surprise and concern shared by many Australians regarding the functioning of public administration, especially with revelations from the ongoing royal commission hearings on decision-making processes involving public servants and ministers. 

Professor Davis also says he anticipates the upcoming final report, expecting it to be a challenging read due to the intense nature of the hearings.

The scandals have shed light on long-standing concerns about reliance on consultants, compromised independent decision-making, and potential corruption within the public service. 

Professor Davis says these issues are not specific to any one government but rather systemic challenges that need to be addressed.

The breakdown between ministers and the bureaucracy, as observed in the robo-debt case, raises questions about decision-making processes and accountability. 

Davis says this shows the need to restore the balance between ministers and the public service, ensuring that ministers have access to accurate information and advice when making decisions.

To restore integrity and capability within the public service, Professor Davis and his colleagues are championing an APS reform program. 

The program emphasises the importance of an anti-corruption commission, which recently came into effect, and aims to create an integrity system where ethical decision-making is ingrained in the culture.

Efforts to rebuild public service capability include promoting merit-based appointments, increasing lateral recruitment of industry experts, and developing a secondment scheme for senior business and community leaders to work in the government. 

Reconfiguring the machinery of government and investing in the knowledge base of the APS are also key areas of focus.

The concept of stewardship is being introduced as a core value within the public service. 

It emphasises the responsibility of public servants to safeguard the institutional knowledge and capability of the public service, ensuring it is equipped to handle future challenges effectively.