The ACT Government has appointed a former Commonwealth departmental secretary to review the structure and capacity of the public sector.
 
Former Defence secretary Dr Allan Hawke will investigate the capacity of the public service to deliver on the ACT Government’s major policy priorities for the remainder of the term.

Building on the 2006 Costello Review, the Hawke review will examine the capacity of existing public sector structures to support the government of the day with strategic and direction-setting advice; effectiveness in delivering on government policies and objectives; performance and accountability mechanisms; how existing structures differentiate between the roles of policy and regulation; across-government coordination of service delivery; and structures that would improve resilience and innovation across the public sector.

Dr Hawke has dismissed claims that the review will lead to public sector job cuts.

"It's about how they deliver best policy advice to their ministers and the government of the day," he told ABC News.

"I think it's about how to monitor and deliver the policy outcomes that the government is seeking."

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said he looked forward to seeing the findings of Dr Hawke’s review by the end of the year.

He added that there would be an opportunity for individuals to make submissions to the review.