Realities and challenges of implementing merit protection frameworks: Australian Capital Territory, Queensland and Aotearoa New Zealand

Merit is a foundational principle that underpins public sector employment. This report, commissioned by the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government details key findings about understandings of merit, with reference to contemporary challenges that aim to integrate suitability and diversity alongside efficiency. This executive summary highlights key findings from the second stage of a research project. The research was carried out by researchers at the Public Service Research Group at UNSW Canberra and Victoria University of Wellington. It is based on interviews with 76 public servants in the ACT, Queensland (QLD) and Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) public sectors.