A long-awaited report has confirmed what many Australians suspected: when it comes to federal board appointments, merit has often been overshadowed by mateship.

The Briggs Review exposes the extent of suspected nepotism, with author Lynelle Briggs finding that current processes don’t always deliver the best person for the job.

Mike speaks with Credibility Expert Dr Neryl East, who says the findings deal yet another blow to public trust in government.

“It’s one thing to suspect ‘jobs for mates’, but it’s another when a major report reveals just how widespread it really is,” she says. And while a new government framework is on the horizon, confidence may be hard to rebuild—especially with many of Briggs’ recommendations unlikely to be adopted.