High Performing Public ServicesChristopher StoneCentre for Policy Development

CPD – Public Sector Research Programhttp://cpd.org.au

Outline• ‘Death by a thousand cuts’ recommendations• Measuring public sector performance• Innovation• Responsibility structures

‘Death by a thousand cuts’• Five recommendations:– Use alternatives to across-the-board cuts– Target factors that reduce engagement– Improve attractiveness of public service jobs– Remove regional conditions disparity– Encourage innovation

A high performing public service

Other Comparisons• e.g. European Central Bank (2005) Public

Sector Efficiency: An International comparison

Side Note: Efficiency Research• False Economies Part 1: Decoding efficiency• False Economies Part 2: Doing less with less

Innovation• From ‘Death by a thousand cuts’:– A case of supported public sector innovation– Adversity ≠ Innovation– Lack of resources most frequent problem– Middle management & frontline staff

• Further research:– Overly risk averse public service?– Drivers– Solutions

Responsibility Structures• AcCOUNTability?• Measurement and limitations; trust• Arm’s length government?