Royal Commission on Australian Government Administration
RCAGA · Coombs Royal Commission · Royal Commission into the Australian Public Service
6 June 1974 – 18 August 1976
Royal commission chaired by H. C. Coombs into the organisation and management of Australian Government departments and authorities and of the Australian Public Service.
How it came into existence
Announced by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam on 6 June 1974, when the Governor-General had appointed it, following the Vernon commission on the Post Office. The commissioners were Dr H. C. Coombs (chairman), P. H. Bailey, Professor Enid Campbell, Justice J. E. Isaac and P. R. Munro, with Dr Peter Wilenski as special adviser. Its terms of reference covered the purposes, functions, organisation and management of departments, statutory corporations and other authorities, the instruments of coordination, and the structure and management of the Public Service, with a view to efficiency, economy, adaptability, industrial relations and the dispatch of public business. The exact date of the Letters Patent was not confirmed.
Changes during its life
- 1 August 1976Report released.
How it ended
Its 483-page report, published in 1976 and released on 1 August 1976, recommended devolving decision-making from central agencies such as the Public Service Board. The Fraser government largely set its recommendations aside, concentrating instead on reducing the size of the Public Service. The Parliamentary Handbook gives 18 August 1976 as the date the final report was presented.
Main functions
- Role of ministerial departments, statutory corporations and other authorities
- Accountability of the Public Service to Parliament, ministers and the community
- Structure, staffing and management of the Australian Public Service
Lineage
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Sources
Government records and websites
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.