Backsliding in An Anglophone System

The paper addresses the worst backsliding in the modern history of Australia, occurred during 2019-2022 and involved quasi autocratic features, and severely impacted the public administration system. The malfeasance has been exposed by numerous inquiries and been part of daily discourse in the media (e.g., rorting, the Australian term for corrupt practices). As part of the anglophone administrative tradition, Australia is an unlikely case for acute politicisation. The tradition has a distinctive relationship between bureaucrats and elected representatives emphasising impartiality and professionalism; a second feature is that system interventions have been facilitated (e.g., new public management) to a greater extent than other traditions. The backsliding had four components: denial of, or implicit rejection, of principles of responsible government (including fundamental tenets of Westminster); unlawful actions to obtain partisan advantage; and the autocratic tendencies of the chief executive, notably appointing himself to five undisclosed portfolios of his ministers. The fourth was about targeting appointed officials and public administration and its diminution through appointments and dismissals, an oppressive culture and rejection of a policy capability and advisory function. The first three are general, but invariably involved public servants and affected the public administration system. The system of control had multiple components: extensive control of the public service was systematised through political agents and the use of ministerial authority. Oversight agencies were influenced by political appointments and/or budget cuts. Opposition within the public sector that departed from government preferences were nullified by constraining FoI, discontinuing appointments, and favouring appointees who were politically aligned or fully compliant. Specific issues included systematic rorting (overt pork barrelling) of grant allocation programs by ministers making decisions for partisan purposes. The most controversial issue for public administration concerned the use of an automated debt recovery program (Robotdebt) that calculated debts based on income averages. The government acted unlawfully, negligently and secretly and refused to take responsibility for the scheme’s failure, until eventually forced to refund 470,000 invalid debts. In the process of suppressing information and compelling public servants to ignore the issues, individuals and the system were compromised. The cultivation of a corrupted system had serious consequences under a government impervious to the consequences of partisan politicisation. Trust in government declined and perceived corruption plunged. The overall impact of politicians’ behaviour on the institutions of government was far reaching with an erosion of the checks and balances provided by parliament and the public service. Under a new government, the issues, are being addressed. including a corruption and integrity commission, a more balanced executive branch with firmer checks and balances, and improved accountability. Can the system be institutionalised against a government that seeks to exploit system vulnerabilities? Crises of public governance in Anglophone countries raise the question of whether the Westminster-type system is fit for purpose and the need for constitutional change. It remains unclear whether institutional reforms can be entrenched to prevent a future government taking over the governance system for partisan ends.