Political leadership will be critical to overhaul Queensland’s public sector after Coaldrake review

It remains to be seen if politicians locked in a cycle of point-scoring and conflict can summon the maturity needed for more open government

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Queensland's premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has enthusiastically welcomed Peter Coaldrake's review into public sector culture and accountability as bold", comprehensive" and exactly what I want". But the hard work of achieving change has only just begun.

Certainly Prof Coaldrake has identified many impediments to good government in Australia: a loss of public sector capacity, capability and confidence; a tendency to rely on consultants and contractors; and concerns about lobbying and about the relationship between ministers, their staff and public service departments.