Effectiveness of the development and implementation of Australian public sector management and financial reforms: E = MC²

The current Australian public sector reforms consultations commenced in 2010. The legislative basis for the reforms—the PGPA Act—was passed in June 2013, and commenced operation on 1 July 2014. Since then, considerable time and effort has been put into implementation of the performance framework involving extensive finance regulations, instructions, guidance, and co-operation and feedback on shared experience and practice, including shared arrangements within and outside the public sector. Questions have been raised about the relationship between administrative process and outcomes, particularly about the changing relationship between the public, private and third sectors of the economy. This article examines the likelihood that the framework being put in place will achieve the reform’s objectives.