One of Australia’s most esteemed public service leaders has issued a stark warning to the Labor government, urging it to curtail the proliferation of government reviews. Blair Comley, the Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, has advised Health Minister Mark Butler to prioritize implementation over analysis in the upcoming parliamentary term. This plea follows the commissioning of over 70 reviews during Labor’s first three years in office, which Comley argues could overwhelm bureaucrats and inflate public expectations.
In a briefing to the re-elected Albanese government, Comley highlighted the financial and resource burdens of these reviews, noting that each could cost upwards of $25 million. “We have a stock of completed reviews that have consulted widely and include significant recommendations,” Comley stated in documents released under freedom of information laws. “I would suggest that ‘Even more doing, less reviewing’ would be a good mindset for this term.”
Mounting Expectations and Resource Strain
Comley expressed concerns that the continuous commissioning of reviews raises stakeholder expectations, with the public anticipating the government to implement all recommendations. He cited the health technology assessment review, which alone proposed 50 reforms, many carrying substantial implementation costs. Other significant reviews included the Medicare review, the private hospitals financial health check, and the evaluation of the national disability insurance scheme.
These insights were part of a broader set of ministerial briefs prepared by department heads across the public service following elections. The Albanese government appointed Comley to lead the health department in 2023, a decade after he was dismissed by Tony Abbott as the head of the climate change department.
Historical Context and Leadership Background
Blair Comley is a respected figure in policy circles, having also served as a consultant and led the New South Wales premier’s department. His name was floated as a potential candidate to lead the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet after Glyn Davis’s departure post the May 3 election, a role ultimately filled by Treasury boss Steven Kennedy.
In his recommendations to Minister Butler, Comley suggested that fulfilling the findings of government reviews might necessitate reallocating funds from Labor’s election promises, including Medicare reform, cheaper medicine prices, and improvements in mental health care and Indigenous health.
Fiscal Challenges and Strategic Recommendations
The call for action comes against a backdrop of fiscal constraints, with health spending being a significant pressure point on the federal budget. Comley noted that the department is committed to fiscal discipline and cost minimization, preparing for a 6% to 10% reduction in internal resources starting July 1, with further cuts anticipated in 2026-27.
Despite these challenges, Comley acknowledged productivity gains through efficient service delivery, particularly in cancer treatment. However, he noted that improvements in patient quality of life have been less pronounced. “The work of the first term gives a strong foundation of robust information, a strong mandate for reform, and the time has come to deliver on priority commitments,” Comley asserted.
“There will be reviews that make sense where there is a compelling case due to one or more of the three motivations, but the bar should be set high.”
The department’s briefing was delivered to Butler on May 13, though his office declined to comment on the matter when approached on Sunday.
As the Albanese government embarks on its new term, the challenge remains to balance the need for thorough analysis with the imperative to act decisively on existing recommendations. The coming years will test the administration’s ability to manage expectations while delivering tangible outcomes that align with its electoral commitments.
