Customer Reviews

2 reviews

• Brenton Prosser

  Of[f] Course Minister is essential reading for anyone interested in the realities of modern executive government. With his self-effacing wit, sharp critique, and genuine devotion to better government, Innis exposes deep-seated problems in the way government is now practised in Australia. As a Professor of Public Policy, I could recommend numerous academic studies or practice guides on government and public administration, but none are as thought-provoking, insightful, and grounded in practical wisdom as this one. Most notably, Innis goes behind the scenes of Westminster Government to examine the evolving relationship between ministers, public servants and members of parliament. He's at his most practical when he identifies the key "games" played by executive government and in outlining a path for today's leaders to develop responsive and responsible public sector craft. Innis’ book couldn't be timelier as disquiet with government grows and the potential for minority government in Australia looms. Ministers, members of parliament, political parties and public servants would all benefit from reflecting on Innis’ book means for the roles they play inside government. For those proudly devoted to their vocation of public service, and for stewards of the Australia’s public services, Innis’ book provides an important reference point for the future of public service in Australia. Those working inside government today may find Innis’ conclusions troubling, but that's exactly what makes Of[f] Course Minister worth reading.

• Meredith Edwards

  This is a must-read book for public servants, ministerial advisers and even time-poor politicians. Why? Because it sets out what is currently ‘off course’ in the roles of and relationships between the key players in our government system: ministers and their advisers, public servants, and elected members of parliament. Because the author has written an easy-to-read book with quirky humour popped in along the way, this is also a book for the curious person in the street who, in fact, is significantly affected by how we are governed and can learn how we could be governed better. The content of this book is based on two principles of responsible government, and which have their origins in the Westminster system of government: the supremacy of parliament and the doctrine of ministerial responsibility. In the Westminster tradition, parliament sovereignty reigns supreme; ministers, who form the executive, are responsible to the parliament; and public servants are responsible to parliament through ministers. Sean describes how, over time, performance of government has been undermined as the role of parliament overseeing the executive has declined, and public servants have become overly responsive to ministers’ wishes, at the cost of their independent duties to serve the parliament and the public. And we now have a cadre of unaccountable ministerial advisers. Further, ministerial responsibility, once so dependent on the confidence of the parliament, has gone off course as party politics are more likely to determine whether a minister must resign. So, over time ministerial responsibility has become ineffective, and the author argues this leaves an accountability hole at the heart of government. Several challenges are faced by modern government which Sean identifies, and then he provides many sensible suggestions for getting back on course, which he describes, using one of his many nautical metaphors, as ’Finding our North Star” of responsible government. These include parliamentarians balancing towing their party’s line with individual consciences, addressing the ‘washminster’ relationship between ministers and heads of department, increasing the accountability and professionalism of ministerial advisers, and a recalibration of the independence/responsiveness balance of public servants in the interests of responsible government. The author’s previous experience as a senior public servant, academic and consultant has led to a most valuable reflective account of the complex relationships within our system of government.

Write a Review