The Executive and the Public Service

The chapter analyses the nature of Australian executive power, distinguishes between the political and administrative elements of the executive, discusses the role of the Prime Minister and the principles underlying the operation of Cabinet and outlines the traditional vulnerability of Australian Prime Ministers arguing there the trend towards more leader-centred or presidential government. It explains the role of the federal public service in government and its core values and discusses the role of ministerial staff within the political executive. It traces the changing nature of political-administrative relationships in Australia and analyses key challenges facing the public service and public administration today.