Political leadership will be critical to overhaul Queensland’s public sector after Coaldrake review

Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk called the Coaldrake review ‘exactly what I want’. But the hard work of achieving change has only just begun. Photograph: Jono Searle/AAP

Queensland’s premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, has enthusiastically welcomed Peter Coaldrake’s review into public sector culture and accountability as “bold”, “comprehensive” and “exactly what I want”. But the hard work of achieving change has only just begun.

Certainly Prof Coaldrake has identified many impediments to good government in Australia: a loss of public sector capacity, capability and confidence; a tendency to rely on consultants and contractors; and concerns about lobbying and about the relationship between ministers, their staff and public service departments.