A senate inquiry initiated by Labor with the support of the Greens is quietly assembling evidence and testimony that may set policy on the future use of consultants and labour hire contractors if Anthony Albanese becomes the next Prime Minister.

The inquiry into the Current Capability of the Australian Public Service (APS) is scheduled to publish a final report by 31 October 2021.

It was referred to the Senate Finance and Public Administration (FPA) References Committee on 1 December 2020, soon after the Morrison Government introduced a new policy to prevent public servant pay rises outstripping private sector wages.