Ben Morton rejects politicisation of public service as 'outrageous slur', sees frank and fearless advice

In his first major interview since being elevated from the outer Morrison ministry to full Public Service Minister and Special Minister of State, Mr Morton has told The Canberra Times the relationship between the government and the public service was "very strong" and he believed frank and fearless advice was being delivered to government by public service chiefs.

But he's tackled Labor's attack on the Morrison government's relationship with the public service after eight years in office, dismissing criticisms of putting department heads, such as Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Phil Gaetjens, in charge of political inquiries and increasing use of contract staff.

"I don't accept that there is a politicisation of the public service by this government at all," Mr Morton said.

"I think that quite frankly, it's an outrageous slur of the leader of the opposition on the public service to suggest that the public service is politicised."

Mr Gaetjens is a former chief of staff to Scott Morrison and he has lead a variety of inquiries, including into what was known in the Prime Minister's Office about the alleged assault of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins. Mr Albanese has criticised the use of Mr Gaetjens and has refused to guarantee the jobs of departmental heads if Labor wins office.

"Oh, I'll be working hard on behalf of the Australian people to ensure that Anthony Albanese doesn't become prime minister," Mr Morton said.

"So I take that question as a hypothetical."

"Phil Gaetjens has had a 40-year career in the Australian public service and predominately in Treasury and in NSW public service. I don't accept the allegation about the politicisation of the public service. I think that's offensive to public servants that serve the government and the Australian people."

The minister, who reveals he is in the process of widely reissuing statements of ministerial expectations to agencies, says the public service is misunderstood in the wider Australian population and it deserves respect.

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He insists the relationship between the federal government and the public service is "very strong."

"We've seen the reliance that the government puts on the advice from the public service. We've seen that in body economic and health responses to COVID-19."

But is it frank and fearless advice?

Mr Morton insists yes, as he says he has experienced it personally and stands by advice to government on climate policies, despite concerns it is being stifled.

Treasury has had little involvement in economic modelling for the Coalition's net zero policies, or any other climate policy over the past five years. The net zero work is yet to be seen and has been done by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources (DISER).

"Well, I think they do [provide free work on climate]. And so I don't have any questions that they they don't," Mr Morton said. "In fact, we've seen the great work that DISER has done with secondees from different departments in developing our response in our uniquely Australian way in relation to climate policies."

"I've seen first hand the work and engagement that we've had in relation to the role that our chief scientist has played."

But there is more room to speak up, particularly when it comes to waste and being effective.

'What concerns me is the inability within more junior and medium levels of the APS to provide that frank and fearless advice within their own organisations in relation to how things can be done better," he said.

"Sometimes you can be so busy doing something, you don't actually stop and think for a day if you if what you're doing is actually the most effective and efficient way and so that for me is more of an issue."

The minister says there is a great privilege in being a public servant in Australia and with that comes responsibility. He wants the public service to be efficient, effective, agile and responsive - serving the government and also the people.

He says the COVID-19 response from the public service has been textbook, particularly the redeployment that was needed.

"I look back and see that you had the volume of transactions and calls and support to Australians in need," he said. "We saw a public service that stepped up to provide that support. And we actually saw an Australian people that were grateful for that as well."

"I was forever waiting for the horror Today Tonight or A Current Affair story about telephone queues being too long or people not getting the support they need. And we actually saw quite the opposite."

The West Australian says he is not driven by ideology. The minister says he is not concerned about the current level of contract staff in the public service believing it should "scale up and down in relation to demand in relation to need."

"I think contractors are an important part of the public service in order to allow for flexibility in service delivery, but also flexibility in relation to advice," he said.

But he sees a capability gap. The close ally of the Prime Minister is encouraging a greater focus on quality data in advice to government and wants to support younger staff as they progress careers in the field of data, digital and cyber. He says there are too many contractors in this field.

"I am concerned we do have a high level of contractors in relation to data, digital and cyber, particularly younger, more junior cohorts within the APS," Mr Morton said.

"I've been very keen to start delving into what are the cadetships and the traineeships that are available in digital and data space. How do we take kids who have shows great merit in relation to digital, cyber and in data out of high school into the APS? How we can support them into their careers?"

Mr Morton says he is open to freeing up the culture of the APS.

"I would like a culture in the APS where people are able to raise from a whole variety of different levels within the APS and feel empowered to do so on suggestions on how we can do our work better," he said.

"Rather than a siloed approach to 'Well, that's the regulation that I need to that I need to implement.'"

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