Asia Pacific News

Australian environment department failed in planning oversight role, says auditors

Campaigners have called for the creation of an independent environmental protection agency in Australia, after the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) released a report condemning the government’s implementation of the […]

Hong Kong strike vote falls short after civil servants warned against taking part

Polls held by pro-democracy unions in Hong Kong – including those representing civil servants – have failed to secure the turnout required to legitimise strike action against a national security […]

Hong Kong civil servants warned not to vote in strike poll

Hong Kong civil servants considering participating in a union poll on strike action against a national security law have been warned that the government “will not sit idly by for […]

India launches one-stop AI portal

The Indian government has launched a dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) portal, designed to support the country’s AI development capabilities and to boost its standing as an emerging tech innovation hub. […]

Australia forms cross-public sector digital panel to boost COVID-19 response

The Australian government has formed a group of ministers drawn from federal and state administrations to strengthen tech-based services and businesses, supporting work to address COVID-19. The senior officials – […]

Top Australian former officials blast country’s ‘failure’ on climate change

Former Australian civil service leaders have condemned successive governments’ failure to tackle climate change, with former Australian Public Service chief Martin Parkinson calling their efforts “incoherent” and ex-Treasury secretary Ken […]

Chinese ambassador’s threats a “wake up” call, says former APS chief

Australia’s former Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet secretary Martin Parkinson has backed calls for an international inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. The retired civil service leader was […]

Indian PM instructs nation’s workforce to download COVID-19 app

The Indian government has instructed all public and private sector employees to use its contact-tracing app, in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as it begins easing lockdown […]

Former Indian civil servants protest targeting of Muslims over COVID-19

Over 100 former civil servants in India have signed an open letter to the country’s chief state ministers denouncing the harassment of Muslims, which they believe has worsened since the […]

Australian ministers seek to calm data privacy fears over corona tracing app

Australia’s government services minister Stuart Robert has moved to address data privacy concerns over the plan to introduce a corona tracking app, saying on Monday that all data will remain […]