A review of political cronyism kept secret for more than two years has put Labor on the back foot, with its leaked advice revealing why.
The review, commissioned by Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, has called for an end to politicised public sector appointments and a move to an independent, merit-based process.
But Labor has also installed a slate of former MPs, ministers and political allies to public sector boards and government bodies, as did the coalition when it was in government.
Current and past board appointments were not included in the review, nor was the process related to a specific person.
The recommendations cover appointments to boards and bodies across all commonwealth portfolios, although the government has indicated privately that not all will recommendations be accepted.
Senator Gallagher, who doubles as the public service minister, accused the former government of overseeing a “jobs for mates” culture when she announced the review to strengthen the integrity of appointments.
The claim pointed to alleged cronyism and nepotism on public boards as ministers used their discretion to install political allies to plum positions.
Senator Gallagher has been sitting on the findings of the review since August 2023, saying they cannot be made public because they are being considered by cabinet, even though it’s not uncommon for reports to be released without a government response.
Reviews, for example, conducted by both the government’s Islamophobia and anti-Semitism envoys were released in 2025 and await formal replies.
Former Australian Public Service commissioner Lynelle Briggs has called for merit-based public sector board appointments rather than political ones, according to public sector sources familiar with the report but unable to speak publicly due to the sensitivities involved.
Senator Gallagher’s office declined to comment.
The report has created a political headache for Labor, which promised an end to a culture of cronyism when it came to power in 2022.
Senator Gallagher declared soon after that she looked forward to Ms Briggs providing “robust recommendations” on restoring integrity to public sector appointments.
Centre for Public Integrity executive director Catherine Williams said it was unclear why the government had not publicly released the report two years later.
“If indeed robust recommendations have been made by Ms Briggs, we look forward to government taking up their implementation as a matter of priority so that Australians can trust that public appointments aren’t just jobs for mates,” she told AAP.
One method floated publicly by another former public service commissioner, Andrew Podger, and championed by independent MP Sophie Scamps, is an advisory committee that puts forward a shortlist to the minister.
The minister would have to choose from this list.
Senator Gallagher has been forced to release the report by the end of 2025 under a Senate order following a push from all non-government upper house members to punish Labor for keeping it under wraps.
The finance minister previously argued it could not be released because it could prejudice cabinet deliberations.