Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector (contentgroup)

The Covid 19 pandemic is forcing the Australian Public Service to move quickly in support of the Australian government agenda.

In our first episode of Work with Purpose contentgroup founder and CEO David Pembroke sits down with Peter Woolcott AO and Katherine Jones.

Peter is the current Australian Public Service Commissioner. Having a highly distinguished career prior to this role, serving as Australia’s High Commissioner to New Zealand (2016–2017), Ambassador for the Environment (2014–16), Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva and Ambassador for Disarmament (2010–2014), Ambassador for People Smuggling Issues (2009), and Ambassador to Italy (2004–2007). Most recently he served as Chief of Staff to the former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Katherine is the Deputy Secretary of Business Services at the Department of Finance since October 2017. Prior to commencing this role Katherine leads corporate and ICT services in the Department where her responsibities are for the provision of facilities and onlines services for Ministers Members of Parliament and across government as well as business services for government departments through the Service Delivery Office.

Katherine is also the Chair of the Whole of Government Chief Operating Officer committee that was set up to deliver the Australian Government’s reform of the Public service following the recent Thodey review.

Discussed in this episode:

• When COVID-19 was first on their radar
• Where their focus has been the last month
• Managing personal experiences whilst delivering and working from home
• The secretaries board being a key communication system 
• Issues APSC are dealing with during this time
• How this pandemic is driving reforms

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The priority and pressure of dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic is forging stronger relationships not only in the Australian public service but between Government, Industry and peak bodies.

In our second episode of Work with Purpose, David Pembroke sits down with Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment Andrew Metcalfe AO.

Andrew began his career in the Australian Public Service way back in 1980 when he joined the as an administrative trainee. In a distinguished career of public service both in Australia and overseas Andrew has served in key portfolios including Immigration, ethnic affairs, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

He served as Chief of Staff to a Federal Minister and adviser to the former Prime Minister John Howard on international affairs, national security and machinery of government issues.

In this wide ranging conversation, Andrew speaks of his love of Italy, the importance of staying rested and fresh, collaboration with Industry and the inspiration he gets every day from working with his fellow public servants on this major crisis.

Discussed in the episode:

• The transition from the Bushfire Crisis to the COVID-19 pandemic

• Andrew’s department priorities

• The importance of relationships

• What Andrew’s department is doing to ensure economic stability through international trading

• Contrasts between past and the current crisis

• Inspiring action versus fear of failure

• IPAA’s Young Leaders questions

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As we settle in to a new way of living, many are asking what is the “new normal”. 

In our third episode of Work with Purpose, David Pembroke sits down via Zoom with the Deputy Secretary at the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources Elizabeth Kelly PSM.

Elizabeth is a lawyer turned bureaucrat who during her legal career worked on tasks as diverse as prosecuting serious Fraud cases in Fiji to fighting corruption in the NSW Building industry.

She has been diverted from her day job as Deputy Secretary at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science Elizabeth is responsible for innovation, digital strategy and industry support programmes to manage the a collective of 4 taskforces who are managing the national medical stockpile in support of the Department of Health.

During a long and distinguished career of public service Elizabeth has served as a Director of policy in both the ACT and Northern Territory governments, and as a Deputy Secretary in the Attorney General’s department and in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet where she was responsible for machine of government, cabinet, legal policy and governance issues across the public service and the co-ordination of support to the Prime Minister.

In this podcast Elizabeth speaks of her role has being the head of four COVID-19 task forces, creative solutions for sourcing medical stockpile, returning to the “next normal”, and more.

Discussed in this episode:

– Logistical support to the Department of Health

– Sourcing medical equipment whilst supporting domestic factories

– Introducing the Australian Army as a creative solution for stockpile sourcing

– Respective and conductive relationships

– What role the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science will play in restoring economic recovery

– Diversifying supply chains

– Future scenario planning

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A big part of the Australian Public Service’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been deciding what to do and what not to do.

The interests of the Australian people have been at the heart of the question.

In our fourth episode of Work with Purpose, David Pembroke sits down in Studio-19 with the secretary of the Department of Social Services and a senior member of the Australian Public Service leadership Kathryn Campbell AO CSC.

Kathryn has served in several roles across the APS before she was appointed Secretary of the Department of Human Services (DHS) by the then Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

In 2017, Kathryn moved across to be secretary of the Department of Social Services (DSS) with responsibility for both social policy and service delivery.

Kathryn is also a Major General in the Australian Army Reserve. In the 2019 Australia Day honours she was appointed an officer in the Order of Australia for her distinguished service to public administration through her senior roles in government departments and in the Australian Army Reserve.

Discussed in this episode:

– The Department of Social Services priorities.

– The challenges of processing a year’s worth of claims in 5 weeks

– The onboarding of thousands of new staff

– How the APS has grounded its work and decisions on what’s best for the Australian people.

– How to sustain a workforce already exhausted by the Bushfire crisis.

– What makes Kathryn proud to be an Australian Public servant

– How the APS accesses community networks to make better decisions.

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In our social media driven world, information is available from all corners of the globe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

On this week’s episode of Work with Purpose David Pembroke and our first co-host, IPAA’s Future Leader’s Forum chair, Holly Noble, ask Frances Adamson, the Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, how she makes decisions when coping with information overload. How does she keep her team motivated and focused as she works to provide the best possible advice to Foreign Minister and Prime Minister.

Frances is an accomplished public servant, a South Australian and former captain of boats at the Adelaide University Rowing Club. She joined the Australian Public Service in 1985. She has served twice in the United Kingdom, the second time as deputy high commissioner as well as in Asia on post in both Taipei and Hong Kong. Between 2011 and 2015, she served as Australia’s ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, the first woman appointed to that role, and she was also the first woman appointed as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Frances was also foreign policy advisor to the former Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull.

Discussed in this episode:

• Reflection on the COVID period
• The challenges of getting Australians home
• Government communication through social media
• The change in her department and their routine
• What is the right leadership style during a crisis
• What does recovery look like
• Adjustments future leaders need to make
• Becoming resilient through personal reflection

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On this week’s episode of Work with Purpose David Pembroke is joined by Deputy Secretary Corporate and Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Home Affairs, Cheryl-anne Moy.

As a Deputy Secretary, Cheryl-anne’s day job is managing the seven divisions in the Federal Department of Home Affairs that deal with corporate capability not only for the Department but the Australian Border Force.

During her career in the APS Cheryl-anne has managed many large and high-profile programs including Regional Processing, Children in Immigration, Ministerial and Parliamentary Entitlements and social welfare programs in key areas including Retirement, Rural, Regional and Employment.

Prior to joining the Australian Public Service, Cheryl-anne had a successful career in Banking, Finance and Fraud investigations.

As part of her responsibilities in helping the response of the APS to the COVID-19 pandemic Cheryl has played a key role in contributing to several taskforce’s including the National COVID-19 co-ordination committee and the Chief Operating officer Committee.

Discussed in this episode:

·        Working outside of your comfort zone

·        Sustaining the mobility of Australian Public Servants

·        The National Coordination Mechanism’s work with supply chains and community issues

·        What are the main adjustments that younger or newer future leaders need to make in order to make their best contribution

·        Understanding the process of policy, program, and delivery

·        Leadership management during COVID-19

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Bushfires, a hailstorm and a global pandemic. And it’s not even June. The people of Canberra have experienced significant challenge over the past few months, and we’re pleased to report that ACT Government have been keeping the show on the road.

In this week’s episode David Pembroke sits down in #studio19 with ACT Coordinator General for the COVID-19, Rebecca Cross and Director General at ACT Education Directorate, Katy Haire.

Rebecca Cross was appointed as the ACT Coordinator General for the COVID-19 Response from her position as Director-General of Community Services Directorate.

Prior to working in the ACT Government Rebecca was a Deputy Secretary at the Department of Human Services, worked as the Head of Government, Policy and Regulatory Affairs at BUPA and has been head of Domestic Policy at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Katy Haire is the Director General at ACT Education Directorate. She was Formerly Deputy Secretary at the Victorian Department of Education and Training and the Department of Human Services. She has also held the position of Executive Director at the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet was a former board member at IPAA Victoria.

Discussed in this episode:

-         The link between public service and business

-         The pace of change

-         The ACT government’s priorities during the pandemic

-         Working as one government

-         Communicating on a whole of government, whole of community level

-         Remote learning in the ACT

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A collaborative business model developed during this year’s Bushfire crisis held the Australian Defence Force in shaping its contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The central principle is, “How can we help”’.

The vast Defence enterprise of skilled people and capability is made available to Federal, State and Territory governments, to meet their most pressing needs. From health professionals to project managers, logisticians to engineers, the ADF has made a significant contribution to Australia’s national effort.

In this week’s episode of Work with Purpose, David Pembroke sits down with the Secretary of Defence, Greg Moriarty, and the chief of the Australian Defence Force, General Angus Campbell.

Greg Moriarty is a distinguished Australian public servant. Born in Queensland, Greg has held several influential positions in the APS, including ambassador to Iran, ambassador to Indonesia. He was Australia's counter-terrorism coordinator, and he also spent time as chief of staff to the former Australian Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull.

General Angus Campbell has dedicated his professional career in the service of the Australian people. Aside from a short stint in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, General Campbell has been an Australian Defence Force lifer since he began at the Royal Military College in Duntroon in 1984. Since then, he has served in several roles, both in Australia and around the world, receiving the Distinguished Service Cross for his leadership of the Australian forces in the Middle East, including in Afghanistan. He was appointed Chief of the Australian Defence Force in 2018.

Discussed in this episode:

-         The Navy, Army and Air Force uniting to help fire fighters

-         How the Bushfire experience has changed the Defence force

-         Making the Defence enterprise available to government departments

-         Being flexible and using resources in new and innovative ways

-         What lesson the Secretary and General Campbell have learned from the pandemic

-         Mobilising the Australian Defence Force

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Unity of purpose has been a fundamental characteristic of Australia’s response to the Covid 19 pandemic.

While our medical experts have been looking to subdue the virus, our crime fighting experts have been working hard to minimize the impact of criminals in Australia and from overseas.

And just as the performance of team Australia’s health experts has been recognised for its effectiveness, so too the efforts to keep our police officers safe and well. In fact, no less than the New York Police Department have been on the phone to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) asking how it was done.

In this week’s episode of Work with Purpose, contentgroup Founder and CEO, David Pembroke, sits down with Commissioner of the AFP, Reece Kershaw, and Commissioner of the Australian Border Force, Michael Outram (ABF).

Reece began his career in the AFP in the late 80’s serving in the Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia and Victoria. Commissioner Kershaw has worked outside the AFP including time with the National Crime Authority, the Australian Crime Commission, as well as postings to the Hague, East Timor, and the Solomon Islands. He was also commissioner of the Northern Territory Police.

Michael Outram is the Commissioner of the ABF, the law enforcement agency responsible for offshore and onshore border control, enforcement, investigations, compliance, and detentions in Australia.

Commissioner Outram began his policing career on the streets of London. He served 20 years in the Metropolitan policing service rising to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector working in Anti-Corruption, Anti-Terrorism, and major investigations teams.

He came to Australia on secondment to the New South Wales police force.  He liked the weather and stayed. Since then he has worked in numerous high-profile crime fighting roles with both the Australian Crime Commission and the AFP before joining the ABF in 2015. He was sworn in as commissioner in 2018. And just like Reece Kershaw, Michael Outram is known for his integrity.

Discussed in this episode:

-         The challenges of enforcing values and meeting community expectations

-         How Australians have responded to the challenge of the pandemic

-         Protecting staff.

-         Closing international and regional borders

-         Preparing for upcoming pressures in a post COVID-19 environment

-         The increase of crime during the pandemic

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The ‘Work with Purpose – A National Perspective’ podcast explores the way public services across Australia have responded to the COVID-19 pandemic, and examines some of the adaptations to public administration that may occur during the recovery phase.

The COVID-19 pandemic has tested the ability of Australian governments to respond effectively in a rapid, coordinated, and collaborative way. In Victoria, the public service moved quickly: an incident management team was formed within the Health Department in late January, and by the first week in March an Emergency State Control Centre had been activated and a pandemic plan released.

On March 15, the National Cabinet formed and met, and the following day a state of emergency was declared in Victoria. From that moment the Victorian Public Service has been sprinting — the impact on service delivery was immediate, wholesale, and profound.

In this, the first episode of Work with Purpose — A National Perspective, IPAA’s National President Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, sits down with the Secretary of the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet Chris Eccles AO.

Discussed in this episode:

• how the pandemic emerged and the impact on service delivery
• how the public service has adapted its engagement through a deep understanding of client experience
• how Victoria developed its data-driven response how new missions have given the public service moral purpose and enabled ‘crash through’ of conventional portfolio structures the benefits and challenges of having 80% of staff working from home the unparalleled level of collaboration between ministerial offices and the public service.

Chris has been leading the Premier’s Department in that role since December 2014. Interestingly, before that he held the same role for both the New South Wales government (from 2011 to 2014) and the South Australian government (from 2009 to 2011).

Gordon has dedicated his career to the Australian Public Service where he held many senior leadership roles, most recently as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Energy. He also worked for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Treasury, the Reserve Bank, and the Australian National University. As well as being IPAA’s National President, Gordon is an Honorary Professor at the Australian National University.

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The mission of the hard-working men and women of Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) is to deliver on the Australian government’s first priority which is to keep all Australian’s safe.

But how do you do that when the rules change?

In this week’s episode of Work with Purpose, David Pembroke sits down with Mike Burgess, Australia’s Director-General of Security and the head of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) to discuss how the work of ASIO has changed during the Covid 19 pandemic.

How did ASIO adjust its operating model to stay ahead of the threats.

In February, Mike Burgess presented ASIO’s annual threat assessment in which he pointed to a rise in right wing nationalist groups online, the increased activity of extremists recruiting ever younger boys and girls online and the presence of overseas spies in Australia, which is at levels not seen since the cold war.

In this interview, we ask if Australian’s are more at risk or safer as a result of Covid 19 and what life is like working for ASIO.

Discussed in this episode:

-         Are Australians safer because of COVID-19?

-         The importance of partnerships

-         The increase of cyber-crime during lockdown

-         What impact the pandemic has had on protecting Australian security interests

-         Ensuring lawful access to personal mobile phones.

-         The responsibilities of the global tech platforms

-         What it’s like to work at ASIO

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Doctor Brendan Murphy recounts the heartache of closing Australia’s borders and many businesses. Caroline Edwards tells of the late-night WhatsApp conversations with her family in Spain as the virus tore through that European country up ending their way of life.

In this powerful and personal episode of Work with Purpose, you are left reassured that Australia’s “Team Health’, a team of thousands of hard working, intelligent public servants pulled together to get it done when it mattered most.

Please enjoy.

Discussed in this episode:

• Dr Murphy’s love for languages
• When the Chief medical officer first heard of Coronavirus
• The COVID-19 protection processes
• Suspending “normal” department rules and processes
• Principal based decision making
• Dr Brendan Murphy dealing with newfound fame
• Partnerships between government departments to support Australians
• Leading the reform

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Integrity is the essence of public service. It captures the aspiration of the APS values (Impartial, committed to service, accountable, respectful and ethical) and sits at the heart of the its mission.

In this week’s episode of Work with Purpose, we speak with three APS leaders about the importance of integrity and its impact on citizens. Angelene Falk is the Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner and her roles take in several functions across privacy, freedom of information and government information management.

Grant Hehir is the Auditor General of Australia, a position which is an independent officer of the Parliament with responsibility for auditing Commonwealth entities and reporting to the Australian Parliament.

Michael Manthorpe is the Commonwealth Ombudsman, an independent officer who safeguards the community in its dealings with the Australian Government.

In this informative and entertaining discussion our three guests carefully outline their expectations of APS staff during the Covid 19 health pandemic and the importance of collaboration in a crisis.

Discussed in this episode:

– The importance of integrity and transparency in government

– Maintaining trust between the public service and Australian citizens

– Privacy and data management in government departments

– Listening to citizens and dealing with complaints

– Oversight organizations on managing work without impeding action

– Making reports accessible

– using multimedia tools to bring messages to life

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As we begin Innovation month in the Australian Public Service (July), we celebrate the creativity of public servants across the country during a time of great challenge and change.

This week’s guests David Fredericks, the Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and Michelle Bruniges AM, Secretary of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, reflect on the power of collective work and reaching out to colleagues in an open and transparent way.

How have public servants embraced creativity to invent new solutions to the challenges of the crisis?

For this episode of Work with Purpose, our guests talk about the importance of keeping an open mind, leading with curiosity and learning to manage risk.

They reflect on the innovation that has been displayed within the public service this year and consider the importance of a culture where creativity is celebrated and valued.

Discussed in this episode:

-         The short, medium- and long-term response to COVID-19.

-         Building trust and strength in relationships – the importance of working with colleagues in the public service, and counterparts in the private sector.

-         Letting go of state and territory boundaries at speed, to create policy that delivers.

-         How COVID-19 has created a new authorizing environment.

-         Hanging on the capacity for Public Servants to pivot when needed.

-         Creating a permissive environment for creativity.

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Australia's first peoples are among Australia's most vulnerable communities.

The virality of Covid 19 posted a particularly serious threat.

In this episode we speak with the leaders of the National Indigenous Australians Agency to explore the decisions, partnerships and networks that were deployed to keep the people in and the virus out of our most remote communities.

Ray Griggs was appointed the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency when it was stood up as an Executive Agency on 1 July last year having earlier serviced as Associate Secretary in the Indigenous Affairs group in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

His entire career has been dedicated to the best interests of the Australian people, a commitment that continues today.

Letitia Hope is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the NIAA and a proud Bundjalung Torres Strait Islander and South Pacific Islander women.

The Bundjalung people are from the Northern Rivers of N.S.W.

As Deputy CEO, Letitia is responsible for making stuff happen and ensuring that the NIAA is a trusted and reliable partner contributing positively to the lives of all Indigenous Australians.

For the past 26 years, Letitia has served in a range of positions across both Commonwealth and State governments in both mainstream and specialised social policy development, service delivery and more recently in health.

Discussed in this episode:

• The unique value proposition Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people bring to the APS
• Creating the space to have conversations about values and behaviours
• Keeping COVID-19 out of remote Aboriginal communities
• The importance of food security
• Reinforcing the value of NIAA’s regional teams
• How to get involved in the reconciliation journey

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A shiny new leadership role in the Australian Public Serve and then … the implementation of 50 plus policy decisions by National Cabinet, 3 million phone calls in one day, the number of claims normally processed in years were being processed in days, the onboarding thousands of new staff, and the prospect of helping one million Australians who were about to lose their jobs.

This is what faced Rebecca Skinner when she took over the leadership of Services Australia, the agency responsible for delivering government payments and services.

Now while Rebecca maybe one of Australia’s most experienced public servants having held senior positions in Defence, Prime Minister and Cabinet and Attorney General’s, what she faced was unprecedented.

In this week’s Work with Purpose, Rebecca Skinner shares with David Pembroke her memories of the earliest days of the Covid 19 crisis and how she prepared her team to not just cope but thrive. She reflects on the importance of sharing the load, taking it one day at a time and always remembering that no matter how bad things looked, the sun would always rise the next morning.

Discussed in this episode:

• Managing the pressure
• Moving services online
• Having one point of authoritative communication
• How to sustain the momentum
• How DSS support their staff’s wellbeing
• COVID-19 allowing the APS and Services Australia to demonstrate its mobility

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In the closing days of March this year, both the threat and impact of coronavirus had become all-too real. The disease was spreading fast, Australians were ordered home until further notice and a degree of confusion and mild panic took over.

In response, the Australian Government formed the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC) giving it a very clear remit to minimise the impact of COVID-19 on people, communities’ and business.

On this week’s edition of Work with Purpose, we speak with Jane Halton AO PSM, one of the four NCCC Executive Board of Commissioners hand-picked by the Government for their expertise in government, the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Jane Halton is an Australian Public service legend.

During her 33 year career in the APS, she served as a secretary of the Departments of Finance and Health (and Ageing) for 15 of those years; She has gone on to Chair the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations as well as significant roles in Global Health Governance including as Chair of the board of the WHO. She is also a board member of the ANZ Bank. Her experience, networks and knowledge mean Jane is uniquely positioned to advise the government on how best to not only manage the health crisis but to restore livelihoods as quickly as possible.

Discussed in this episode:

-         Funding and creating the COVAX Facility

-         The planned distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine

-         Recognising the significance of the pandemic as it unfolded across the globe

-         What the COVID-19 commission has achieved over the past 4 months

-         Working with industry to streamline delivery during the pandemic

-         Maintaining personal resilience.

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Clooney or Pitt? Who would play Secretary Michael Pezzullo in the movie about the change he is driving in the Department of Home Affairs?

In this week’s Work with Purpose, Secretary Michael Pezzullo draws on Hollywood inspiration to describe his ambition for the Department of Home Affairs, recalls how by age 11 he had already decided on a career of public service and that the achievements of his Rugby League career at Marist Brothers Kogarah as a hard working second or front rower were “modest but improving with years’’.

In a revealing and at times personal conversation, Mike Pezzullo describes the journeys of his parents from post World War Europe to Australia, the inspiration he gets from working with our political leaders and his desire to leave the APS in a better place than when he started.

If you are curious about what makes Michael Pezzullo tick, then don’t miss this week’s episode of Work with Purpose.

He began his public service career as a Defence department graduate in the late 80’s before heading across the lake to the International Division in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

From there it was to a coveted position on the Ministerial staff of the then Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, before serving as the deputy Chief of Staff to the then opposition leader Kim Beazley.

He was made Secretary of the Department in 2014 before taking on his current role Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs in 2017.

Discussed in this episode:

-         An 11-year-old Secretary deciding he wanted to be a Public Servant

-         The Secretary’s COVID experience thus far

-         Assisting supermarkets supply systems

-         Team Australia coming together

-         The future of international education

-         Learnings from the Defence operations

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National Cabinet has been one of the shining examples of collaboration in Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The gravity, the humanity, and the collaboration demonstrated through this process has been remarkable to observe, with people at the heart of the decisions.

In this episode of Work with Purpose - A National Perspective, Sharyn O’Neill shares her experience and insights as the State Recovery Controller on Western Australia’s COIVD-19 response and recovery. She reflects on the flurry of the initial response, on the privilege she has felt in supporting the Premier in meetings of the National Cabinet, and on what the crisis has taught her about herself.

Discussed in this episode:

-         The importance of understanding ‘the user experience’ when services go digital.

-         The implications of ‘the digital divide’ for regional and remote communities.

-         Changing mindsets around different work practices, risk appetite, and accountability.

-         Rolling out a partnership approach to COVID-19 with community, business and NFP’s.

-         The galvanising experience of working with the National Cabinet.

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Innovation does not stand still on ‘’Work with Purpose’’.

This week we feature a conversation with IPAA Future Leaders who undertook a hackathon to explore the question “What could, or should the APS look like one year from now?”

The IPAA future leaders, as you have seen from the important contribution they have made to Work with Purpose, are the best and brightest in the APS. We would encourage anyone interested in making bigger contribution to the APS to get in touch with IPAA about how to become a future leader.

Today’s episode is hosted by the Assistant Commissioner of the Australian Electoral Commission, Matt McMahon who leads a discussion with Director of the Department of Finance, Holly Noble, Associate Director of KPMG, Rachel Martin, and our first returning guest in her new role as Associate Secretary of the Department of Defence, Katherine Jones PSM.

Discussed in this episode:

-         Identifying the need for change and reform

-         Interdepartmental governance reflections

-         The first steps to taking an active role to shape and become a collaborative leader

-         Maintaining resilience in a digital work environment

-         Delivering old skills in a new digital world

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Chris Jordan has driven major change in the Australian Tax Office since assuming his position of Commissioner in 2013. But it wasn’t his first public service role.

Straight out of school, Chris followed his father into the N.S.W Police Force where he served on Sydney’s North Shore. It was the skills of observation and communication he learnt on the beat that helped him to turn the ship around. 

In his view, it was been the cultural “Reinvention’’ of the ATO over the past 7 years that prepared the tax office to deal with the challenges of COVID-19. Chris Jordan is effusive in his praise of his people and their leadership as they have battled with the demands of major bushfires and a global pandemic in 2020.

Please enjoy our conversation with Chris Jordan.

Discussed in this episode:

-         Chris’s public service beginnings as a policeman

-         What can the public service learn from the private sector

-         Challenging the status quo

-         How the ATO is preparing for the future

-         What were the biggest challenges when implementing the Job Keeper program

-         IPAA Future Leaders Questions 

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The critically important relationship between business and government in managing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has been a consistent theme of the Work with Purpose podcast.

In this week’s episode we bring together the leaders of two organisations, one private sector, one government, who have been working in Australia’s best interests not since the beginning of the pandemic but well before.

Steven Worrall is the Managing Director of Microsoft Australia. Steven joined Microsoft in March of 2014 as Director of Commercial and Public Sector markets. He previously worked for IBM for 22 years.

Larry Marshall has been the CEO of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) since January 2015. CSIRO’s mission is “to solve the world's greatest challenges through innovative science and technology’’. Larry holds 20 patents and has served on 20 boards of high-tech companies operating in the United States, Australia, and China.

In this week’s episode which was recorded during Science Week, Steven and Larry discuss the similarities in each others' missions and how their teams are working together in the best interests of the Australian community.

Discussed in this episode:

-         The importance and the role of business and government working together

-         The importance of digital literacy

-         The Microsoft and CSIRO collaboration

-         Developing a vaccine

-         ‘’Team Australias'’’ resilience in a post COVID-19 environment

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Federal Parliament staff including security and hospitality workers joined the Services Australia response to the COVID-19 pandemic as committee rooms in the Parliament building were converted to makeshift call centres.

In this week’s episode of Work with Purpose we speak with the Secretary of Department of Parliamentary Service, Rob Stefanic and his deputy, Cate Saunders about how their team rallied around APS whole of government effort to help the Australian people.

As the heart of the Australian democracy, Parliament is a critically important institution.

But as a “city within a city’’, the Federal Parliament building is also normally a thriving tourist destination attracting thousands of visitors from across Australia and around the world each day.

Discussed in this episode:

• What questions are being asked within the ‘Wall Room’
• The Parliament’s Pandemic Plan
• Ensuring the continuity of Parliamentary services
• IPAA Future Leader questions 

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Service delivery has fundamentally changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In Queensland, the government hasn’t waited for its citizens to come to them, it has actively pushed services out to the community.

In this episode of Work with Purpose — A National Perspective, Dave Stewart, Director-General of Queensland’s Department of the Premier and Cabinet, talks about how the public service has come together to support the response of the Premier, Cabinet and Ministers in managing the COVID-19 health and economic crises.

Discussed in this episode:

• Fundamental shifts in the way people are deployed across the public service.
• Adapting to nimbler ways of working.
• Maintaining connections between staff and the onus on managers to manage.
• Moving to virtual Cabinets and changes to Queensland parliamentary processes.
• Dramatic and rapid change in relationships within the Federation. 

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In South Australia perceptions and trust in the public service has doubled over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic and now sits at around 60 to 70 per cent.

In this episode of Work with Purpose — A National Perspective, Erma Ranieri, the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment, talks about how the South Australian public service has responded to the pandemic and is working to strengthen the resilience of its workforce.

Discussed in this episode:

• Innovation employed during the emergency response to the pandemic.
• Rapid deployment of public servants to areas of need.
• Speed in which the public service has adapted to different ways of working.
• How mental health support has been provided to people across the public service.
• The central role the public service has played in protecting the citizens of South Australia.

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Fiji’s coordinated response to COVID-19 with Bernadette Welch 

Work with Purpose – Global Perspectives explores the important work Australian Public Servants do around the world to deliver not just for Australians, but for the people of many other countries. It is an important and critical part of Australia’s role in the world in diverse areas such as health, trade, agriculture, defence, national security, and diplomacy.

In this first episode of Work with Purpose – Global Perspectives, IPAA’s National President Dr. Gordon de Brouwer PSM, is in conversation with Bernadette Welch PSM who until recently, was the Fijian Government’s permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services.

Fiji is made up of over 300 islands and around 130 of them are populated. So, when it comes to providing health and medical services, there are unique challenges.

Discussed in this episode:

• The emergence of the pandemic and Fiji’s quick response
• The implementation of Fiji’s COVID-19 Taskforce
• Building trust with the community with effective communication tactics
• Working with the World Health Organisation
• The importance of a good working relationship across government including the Military and Police Force
• The continuity of delivering services while dealing with a global pandemic

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To serve the public in the face of a rapidly-adapting health threat, the Australian Government has evolved to match.

Collaboration across federal, state and territory lines is heightened, and set to continue as the APS looks to strengthen its culture of communications and data sharing to support effective service delivery, as Philip Gaetjens, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, discusses with contentgroup CEO David Pembroke on this episode of Work with Purpose.

Philip has a distinguished record, serving as the Chief of Staff to two former Treasurers, Peter Costello and Scott Morrison, and the Secretary of the Treasury before being appointed to his current position as Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in September of last year.

Philip is joined by PM&C Graduate, Eleanor Kay, to reflect on the rapid pace of change inside the APS, and how he sees data, communications and a shared purpose of serving the Australian people driving the APS of the future.

Discussed in this episode:

• Changes in technology across the public service
• Minimising the economic impact of COVID-19
• The impact of the health crisis on Australians
• Building a culture of data usage and exchange across the APS
• The role of leadership communications in workplace motivation and wellbeing

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It’s the largest piece of Australian Government spending in history. Now, Secretary to the Australian Treasury Dr. Steven Kennedy gives an insider’s view of the JobKeeper program.

In this unmissable episode of Work with Purpose, Secretary of the Treasury, Dr. Steven Kennedy and CEO of the Commonwealth Bank Matt Comyn is joined in conversation with Jessica Irvine, the senior economics writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and the Age newspapers.

They discuss the decision making and design of JobKeeper, why a demand-driven stimulus approach was chosen, and the differences between Australia’s and other international government fiscal responses to the pandemic.

Discussed in this episode:

• The rationale for JobKeeper and JobSeeker programs
• Avoiding a fiscal cliff and what happens next
• Where that $60 billion shortfall came from
• Keeping people in jobs and homes
• Providing certainty in uncertain times
• Using business intelligence to assess policy impact

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the first floor of a Belconnen Tavern to the shadows of Parliament House.

Drew Baker’s transformative term as a leader of the ACT Branch of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA), is one of energy, strategy and opportunism.

With his trademark eye for detail, Drew grew the organisation’s profile into one of Australia’s most important public sector institutions.

In this week’s edition of Work with Purpose, Drew is joined in conversation with David Pembroke, Carmel McGregor and IPAA’s incoming CEO, Caroline Walsh.

We learn that it was indeed Carmel who convinced Drew over coffee to take on the role of IPAA CEO and that Caroline and Drew were once EL1 colleagues in the APS.

Drew Baker has made a remarkable contribution to IPAA.

We hope you enjoy his story.

Discussed in this episode:

• Recognising, celebrating and connecting public servants
• The importance of peer connections and networking
• Key achievements of the IPAA ACT team over the past 5 years
• Future plans for the direction of IPAA ACT

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The ways we work have changed drastically this year, yet according to Telstra CEO Andy Penn, it’s only just getting started. Strap yourselves in. Things are about to get interesting.

Australians have adopted digital technologies at an unprecedented pace during COVID-19 which has delivered benefits including mitigating skills shortages, improved work-life balance and increased workforce satisfaction.

Much of this change relies on the reliability of the telecommunications network run by Andy Penn.

In this episode of Work with Purpose, Andy Penn discusses the future of work in Australia; the adoption of emerging technologies like 5G, artificial intelligence and cloud computing; and how industry is partnering with government to accelerate the post-pandemic recovery.

In Andy Penn’s opinion, Australia is well placed to capture a bright digital future.

From an industry perspective of working with government, enjoy this conversation with contentgroup Founder and CEO, David Pembroke.

Discussed in this episode:

·        Forecasting the future of work

·        Sustaining the pace of technology adoption

·        COVID as an accelerator for the move to a digital economy

·        How technologies like 5G, cloud computing & artificial intelligence will enable smart cities of the future.

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How do you cut a government form down from 164 questions to 10 without losing the rigour?

How can you leverage existing business information systems to take the hassle out of payroll and superannuation guarantees?

These are just two of the innovations introduced by public servants this year to make Australians lives easier.

The Public Sector Innovation Awards highlight public servants who rethink government services to make them easier to access and use.

On this week’s episode, David Pembroke sits down with Helen Bailey, Manager of the Public Sector Innovation Network, and representatives from award-winners Services Australia and the Australian Tax Office to discover how large scale innovation projects were delivered.  

Ailsa Borwick, National Manager of Employment Income and Single Touch Payroll joins us to talk about simplifying JobKeeper forms on behalf of Services Australia.

Jason Lucchese, Assistant Commissioner of the Superannuation and Employer Obligations of the Single Touch Payroll Programme joins on behalf of the Australian Tax Office.

Discussed in this episode:

·        Identifying where to target innovation efforts

·        The importance of knowing your customer journey

·        What does user-centred design look like in practice?

·        The importance of team building to deliver major innovations

·        Connecting innovation with the priorities of your authorising environment

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How long will we be in the “new normal”, and how do we keep workplace cultures, relationships and productivity growing throughout?

On this episode, we are joined by Rosemary Huxtable PSM, the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Chris Moraitis PSM, the head of the Attorney General's Department.

From their unique perspectives leading the teams that underpin much of government services, they talk candidly about the challenges of navigating such uncertain times, and share their pride in the strength of their people and the institutions they support.

The importance of workplace culture, and tending it through new working technologies is discussed, as well as top skills future leaders will need to manage future work environments. For a candid view of the APS at the highest levels, this episode is not to be missed.

Discussed in this episode:

·        Skills needed to lead digital workforces

·        Opportunities for diversity and workplace inclusion

·        Enabling workplace innovation at the team level

·        Maintaining the benefits of flexible work post-pandemic

·        The importance of emotional intelligence

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One might not necessarily associate an APS career with building fish ladders along the Mekong river to facilitate upstream fish passage and feed millions of people who rely on this important protein. Or measuring soil moisture to inform farmers exactly when, and how much to water their crops. Or developing climate-smart livestock product systems to improve overall livestock health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These are just some of the extraordinary projects the perhaps lesser known Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) are leading, in partnership with academia, industry and international governments, to improve the lives and livelihoods of developing communities across the globe, as well as back home in Australia.

In this special episode of ‘Work with Purpose – Global Perspectives’, ACIAR’s Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Campbell, leads an awe-inspiring discussion with ACIAR Research Program Managers: Dr Ann Fleming, Fisheries, Dr Anna Okello, Livestock Systems, and Dr Robyn Johnston, Water and Climate. They discuss:

• Applying excellence in Australian scientific research to address global agricultural and environmental issues
• Considering broader sociocultural, gender, policy and economic contexts when working with international communities and governments
• Managing biosecurity threats before they reach Australian shores
• Empowering communities to improve their own livelihoods and socio-economic prospects
• Forging enduring partnerships across government, academia, industry and community

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As COVID-19 changes the rules of access, how do our cultural institutions remain vibrant, relevant, and resilient? In this week’s episode of Work with Purpose, leaders from three of Australia’s best-loved institutions describe how they and their teams met the challenge.

Doubling down on purpose, seeing COVID as an opportunity for innovation and staying close to local people were three of the successful strategies employed.

Dr. Marie-Louise Ayres, Director-General of the National Library of Australia; Dr. Mathew Trinca AM, Director of the National Museum of Australia; and Dr. Rachael Coghlan, CEO and Artistic Director of Craft ACT: Craft and DESIGN Canberra Festival joined us to share their insights at this IPAA Future Leaders conversation.

This episode is hosted by IPAA Future Leaders Committee members Megan Aponte-Payne, Assistant Director at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Michael Sanese, Manager of People and Organisation consulting at PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

Discussed in this episode:

–        How to keep teams connected to maintain morale, ingenuity and innovation

–        Using COVID-19 as an innovation driver across complex organisations

–        Maximising digital and physical exhibition opportunities to keep serving the public

–        Keeping organisations aligned with their vision, mission, and objectives throughout changing circumstances.

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Whether it’s managing supply chains for troops in East Timor, or guiding an Australian Government department through the COVID-19 crisis, shared purpose and mission are critical.

It is this shared sense of purpose and mission that enables teams to achieve extraordinary outcomes for the people they serve.

How do you tap into this shared purpose when staff are distributed across working arrangements and the Australian Public Service as a whole?

The first female Major General of the Australian Army, and now Secretary of the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Liz Cosson AM CSC, has devoted her career to serving the nation and its people.

Liz Cosson shares her insights in conversation with David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup on this week’s episode of Work with Purpose.

Discussed in this episode:

-         The importance of applying flexibility to staff working arrangements

-         Using communications to engage and align staff around shared workplace missions

-         Maintaining cultural change through 2020 and beyond

-         Transforming service delivery to better serve the veteran community

-         Crossing the divide between Defence and DVA.

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With each state and territory having such different pandemic experiences, how do you support businesses to keep operating?

We hear from two of Australia’s key workplace regulatory authorities in this week’s edition of Work With Purpose.  

We are joined by Sandra Parker PSM, the Fair Work Ombudsman, and Sue Weston PSM, the CEO of Comcare, which is Australia's national work, health, and safety, and workers' compensation authority.

They explain how the government is taking a common sense approach to legislation, and is adjusting compliance and enforcement policies to see jobs kept and employees protected.  

They also speak candidly about how to best support service delivery teams, as personnel are faced with rapidly changing policy, distraught customers, and uncertainty in their own personal lives.

Finally, as concerns about the mental health impacts of COVID-19 mount, they speak to help programs already underway across the country to support workers.

Discover the hard work underway behind the scenes to ensure Australia keeps working safely.

Discussed in this episode:

-         Adjusting compliance and enforcement policies to respond to the challenges of COVID-19

-         Building awareness of mental health issues in the workplace, and resourcing help programs to support Australian’s resilience

-         The lasting impact of COVID-19 on wellbeing and occupational health and safety policies

-         Sustaining staff wellbeing through open communication and leadership. 

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While the Northern Territory has been comparatively free from the coronavirus, with only 53 confirmed cases, COVID-19 has still presented numerous and complex challenges. Just consider the logistical complications of the region’s vast expanse and diverse population, which includes some of Australia’s most remote communities. 

Jodie Ryan, Chief Executive of the Northern Territory Government’s Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet, believes however, that the COVID-19 crisis has brought the territory to a positive tipping point. The investment in their response - including relationships built, new ways of doing things, risks taken and lessons learnt - will help to cast a more effective NT public service that better serves its citizens.  

In this episode IPAA National President, Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, and Jodie discuss:

·        Redefining public service roles to invigorate organisational focus and a sense of achievement

·        Transforming a dispersed workforce in collaboration and team dynamics, ownership and participation

·        Strengthening relationships with Aboriginal organisations and communities through broader, deeper and more regular consultation

·        Providing quality digital connection across the territory to improve citizen’s health, wellbeing and quality of life

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Trust in the Australian Commonwealth Government has risen to new heights during the COVID-19 pandemic. With 2020 coming to a close, this podcast explores this year’s increase in political trust, and how trust levels will be shaped in the near future.

In this special episode of the Work with Purpose podcast, we are joined by the Director of Democracy 2025 Professor Mark Evans. He is interviewed by one of Australia’s most distinguished political journalists Michelle Grattan AO.

The two discuss recent global research into perceptions of political institutions, looking specifically at Australia’s level of trust within a global context. Where does Australia sit in terms of political polarisation and support for our political institutions?

Despite the increase in trust we have seen in 2020, the pair discuss the decline in trust prior to 2020, and how Australia can avoid returning to its comparatively low pre-2020 levels.

The pair also explore the changing perceptions toward the Australian Public Service (APS), and what the APS can do to sustain and improve support for Australia’s political institutions.

They identify the key changes that COVID-19 have wrought on Australia’s political, economic and diplomatic landscape. Which of these changes are here to stay, and which will soon be forgotten?

Discussed in this episode:

• How Australia compares to other nations in its levels of polarisation and trust.
• The changing role of the APS, and what caused these changes.
• What caused the increase in trust in 2020, and how Government can sustain it.
• How the APS can contribute to maintaining support for government beyond 2020.

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This week we begin the 2020 Retrospective Series of Work with Purpose. Over the coming weeks, we will be uploading some of the podcast highlights from 2020.

In this week’s episode of Work with Purpose, we re-play contentgroup CEO David Pembroke’s June interview with Professor Brendan Murphy and Caroline Edwards. He loves Italy, her mother was born in Spain. He is learning to sing; she grew up with a father who was totally blind.

In this remarkable interview, Work with Purpose speaks to the people and the partnership that subdued the COVID-19 health crisis in Australia. Both Brendan and Caroline were instrumental in crafting Australia’s medical response to COVID-19. With the pandemic still going today, their perspective is just as insightful today as it was in June.

Brendan Murphy recounts the heartache of closing Australia’s borders and many businesses. Caroline Edwards tells of the late-night WhatsApp conversations with her family in Spain as the virus tore through that European country up ending their way of life.

In this powerful and personal episode of Work with Purpose, you are left reassured that Australia’s “Team Health’, a team of thousands of hard working, intelligent public servants pulled together to get it done when it mattered most.

Discussed in this episode:

• Professor Murphy’s love for languages.
• When the Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy first heard of COVID-19.
• The COVID-19 protection processes.
• Suspending “normal” department rules and processes.
• Professor Brendan Murphy dealing with newfound fame.
• Partnerships between government departments to support Australians.

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This week we continue our 2020 Retrospective Series of Work with Purpose. In our last episode, we re-played our episode with Professor Brendan Murphy and Caroline Edwards.

This week we are giving you another opportunity to listen to our episode with the Secretary of the Treasury Dr. Steven Kennedy, the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank Matt Comyn and the Senior Economics Writer for the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age Jessica Irvine.

It’s the largest piece of Australian Government spending in history. Secretary of the Australian Treasury Dr. Steven Kennedy gives an insider’s view of the JobKeeper program.

They discuss the decision making and design of JobKeeper, why a demand-driven stimulus approach was chosen, and the differences between Australia’s and other international governments’ fiscal responses to the pandemic.

Discussed in this episode:

• The rationale for the JobKeeper and JobSeeker programs.
• Avoiding a fiscal cliff and what happens next.
• Where that $60 billion shortfall came from.
• Keeping people in jobs and homes.
• Providing certainty in uncertain times.
• Using business intelligence to assess policy impact.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our final instalment of the 2020 Retrospective Series of Work with Purpose, we give you our episode with the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

In this podcast, you will hear from the CEO of ACIAR Andrew Campbell along with his incredible team. If you want to hear some inspiring stories about the APS, this is a must-listen.

One might not necessarily associate an APS career with building fish ladders along the Mekong river to facilitate upstream fish passage and feed millions of people who rely on this important protein. Or measuring soil moisture to inform farmers exactly when, and how much to water their crops. Or developing climate-smart livestock product systems to improve overall livestock health and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

These are just some of the extraordinary projects that ACIAR are leading, in partnership with academia, industry and international governments, to improve the lives and livelihoods of developing communities across the globe, as well as back home in Australia.

In this episode of ‘Work with Purpose – Global Perspectives’, ACIAR’s CEO, Andrew Campbell, leads an awe-inspiring discussion with ACIAR Research Program Managers: Dr Ann Fleming, Fisheries, Dr Anna Okello, Livestock Systems, and Dr Robyn Johnston, Water and Climate. They discuss:

• Applying excellence in Australian scientific research to address global agricultural and environmental issues
• Considering broader sociocultural, gender, policy and economic contexts when working with international communities and governments
• Managing biosecurity threats before they reach Australian shores
• Empowering communities to improve their own livelihoods and socio-economic prospects
• Forging enduring partnerships across government, academia, industry and community

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The rise of cyber crime and cyber warfare have forced governments around the world to rethink how they define safety and security. With Australia experiencing a record number of cyber threats, the role of government in combatting this threat is more important than ever.

In this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined by Hamish Hansford, the First Assistant Secretary of the Cyber, Digital and Technology Policy Division at the Department of Home Affairs.

Hansford discusses his journey to becoming one of the government’s leading cyber security decision makers. He looks back on his twenty-year career in the Australian Public Service (APS), sharing the key insights he has picked up along the way.

He discusses his contribution to Australia’s cyber security infrastructure, as well as the impacts of COVID-19 on our use of digital technologies. What are the positive aspects of this change, and where do we have to be careful in navigating our increasing presence online?

Although the big, but less common cyber attacks attract the most attention, cyber security is actually an everyday occurrence we must all defend against. The Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) receives one cyber crime report every 10 minutes.

Hansford discusses the role that individuals play in the fight against cyber threats, as well the public service as a whole. How can the APS collectively defend itself against the increasing number of cyber threats?

Discussed in this episode:

·      The future of cyber security and cyber threats. Will it get worse?

·      What the government must do to improve Australia’s preparedness toward cyber threats.

·      Advice about how to reduce your own susceptibility to cyber threats.

·      The career of Hamish Hansford, along with his advice for people beginning their APS careers. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

COVID-19 presents the perfect example of the modern, complex, and rapidly evolving challenges facing the APS. The government is responding flexibly to demand on high priority, cross-cutting policy and delivery issues, with its ability to act efficiently and effectively hinging on principles of collaboration and mobility. 

Recently we’ve seen the emergence of various taskforces and the development of the APS Mobility Framework. These resources have supported government through some of the most difficult times in our nation’s history.

In this episode of Work With Purpose, a different perspective is captured by host Chevelle Grey - Assistant Director, Policy & Portfolio Strategy Branch at the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. Chevelle is joined by taskforce and mobility experts Simon Duggan, Deputy Secretary from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Patrick Hetherington, First Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Public Service Commission and Teresa McMichael, Senior Adviser, Policy Projects and Taskforce Office, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Speakers discuss their thoughts and experiences regarding taskforces and mobility. While they advocate for the notion of many heads being better than one and agree that mobility has underpinned many of the greatest APS successes, they also remind us that there is a time and place for using such approaches. Tune in and hear our panel discuss all things taskforces, mobility and where you can uncover the most important tools for responding to dynamic and complex issues facing the APS.

Discussed in this episode:

·        The shift towards taskforces and APS mobility.

·        Personal taskforce insights from the panel.

·        A closer look at the APSC Taskforce Toolkit.

·        The APS Reform Agenda.

·        Questions from IPAA’s Future Leaders Committee. 

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For this week’s Special Episode of Work with Purpose we are joined by Jacqui Curtis, Head of the HR Profession, Randall Brugeaud, Head of the Digital Profession and Dr David Gruen, Head of the Data Profession.

As part of the 2019 Independent Review of the Public Service, the Government agreed to establish Professions to build capability and support career paths in critical areas. In response, Secretaries Board established APS Professional Streams, headed by Australian Public Service Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO. Along with the Commissioner, today’s guests, as Heads of Profession are responsible for capability uplift in their areas of focus, in digital, data, and human resources, drawing on international best practice.

In a deliberate, strategic approach to setting professional standards, implementing career pathways and addressing skills gaps, the Professional Streams are being delivered collaboratively across the APS to make sure there is a cross-agency approach to delivering government services.

The Professional Streams have already demonstrated successes in building networks and ways to strategically recruit, develop, grow and retain talent in leadership roles and improve capability of the public service workforce.

Discussed in this episode:

• The establishment and purpose of the Professional Streams.
• Building networks to strategically recruit, develop, grow and retain talent.
• The opportunities available through the Professional Streams.
• Supporting the cross-agency approach to delivering government services.
• What’s next for the Professional Streams.

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2020 will be forever remembered as the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. But in Australia, the ferocious bushfires of 2019 that burned well into the new year will never be forgotten. The strain of such significant events was recognised early and the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and the Mental Health Commission worked quickly to deliver necessary support. But more was to come as the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was realised.

In this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined by Andrew Colvin, the national coordinator of the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, and Christine Morgan, the chief executive officer of the National Mental Health Commission and the National Suicide Prevention Adviser to the Prime Minister.

Morgan explains how the stigma around mental health has changed since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. How do people view mental health now compared to 2019? What can we do to further improve the stigma around mental health?

Colvin discusses mental health in relation to the 2019, 2020 Australian summer bushfires. How do we overcome trauma, grief and tragedy? How should the APS make themselves available to Australians in times of need?

Together Morgan and Colvin discuss these questions as well as explain how the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and the Mental Health Commission work together when it comes to bushfire relief.

Discussed in this episode:

·        What COVID-19 taught us about mental heath.

·        How the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the National Bushfire Recovery Agency.

·        Advice on what you can do to improve the stigma around mental health.

·        The work the National Bushfire Recovery Agency has done since the 2019/ 2020 summer bushfires.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of being able to find, access, analyse, and share trusted and reliable digital information in a timely and responsive manner. The National Archives, like most of the APS have been extremely busy during the pandemic, ensuring that the governments most important records are documented, so that they can be held as part of the National Archives archival collection.

In this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined by David Fricker, the Director-General of the National Archives of Australia, and the current President of the International Council on Archives.

Fricker walks us through what the team at the National Archives have been doing since the beginning of the pandemic. How are they recording information? Why is it important that this moment is captured in time?

He also touches on the effectiveness of Australia’s information management system. How does it rank against other countries around the world? What steps can we take to improve Australia’s information management system?

Fricker rounds out the episode on a personal note, explaining how he has changed since the beginning of the pandemic and how he has realised he is capable of more than he initially thought.

Discussed in this episode:

·        How the National Archives of Australia are recording and documenting the COVID-19 pandemic.

·        Where Australia ranks compared to the rest of the world in effective information management systems.

·        How the National Archives deal with dis and misinformation.

·        Why it is essential that all sectors of the APS collaborate with the National Archives.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As life in the Australian Public Service continues to move at a scorching pace in delivering the priorities of the government, the increasing influence of digital technology and data in defining new ways of working to deliver value for citizens has never been more important. At the heart of this transformation is the mission to make the lives of Australians simpler, safer, and better. Nowhere is this mission more obvious or more important than the work of the National Disability Insurance Agency, which is implementing a program to deliver individualised, self-directed care packages to over a half a million Australians.

In this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined by Martin Hoffman, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), and the former President of IPAA NSW.

Hoffman starts off the episode explaining some of the previous roles he has held in the APS, such as being the head of the Services Australia Taskforce and working with Services New South Wales. What was the contrast between the two? How is different working at a state versus federal level?

He also touches on his current work at the NDIA. What were his first impressions? How did the COVID-19 pandemic change their system both internally and externally?

Hoffman concludes the conversation focusing on what he sees as the priorities for the NDIA for the next 12 to 18 months and how these priorities will be delivered to those within the disability community.

Discussed in this episode:

·        The difference between working at state and federal levels of government.

·        What cultural elements are needed to build strong performing teams in the APS.

·        How the COVID-19 pandemic shaped the NDIA.

·        How to communicate your agencies priorities to citizens and stakeholders in an effective and manageable way. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether you work inside or outside of the APS, it is safe to say that 2020, for the most of us, was quite the challenging year. With our work, home and day-to-day lives being forced to change at such a rapid rate, people around the globe learnt to adjust. However along with this, the world didn’t put the rest of life’s challenges on hold, meaning that some of us had a lot of weight to carry on our shoulders. So when our shoulders are sore, and we’re starting to feel ‘a bit over it’, how do we build resilience to come out on the other side?

In this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined by Dominic Price, Work Futurist at Australian software company, Atlassian.

Price starts off this episode on a personal note. He explains some of the hardships that he has faced in the last 12 months. How did he deal with the challenges that faced him? How did he build resilience?

He also touches on ‘the new workforce’ and reflects on working from home. Are we being more or less productive? Is it something that we should continue to do, even when the pandemic ends?

Price ends the interview giving listeners some tips on how to reprioritize their lives. What is important to you? Where do you want to be five years from now?

Discussed in this episode:

• How to stay positive and build resilience.
• The positives and negatives of working from home.
• What skills 2020 has given those in the corporate world.
• Why now is the time to reprioritize your life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month marks the one-year anniversary of Work with Purpose. To celebrate, we’re releasing a special highlights edition featuring some of the remarkable insights shared with us over the past year, from some of our most popular episodes with speakers from across the public sector.

In this special episode, we pay homage to the Australian public sector as it took centre stage delivering the Australian Government's agenda supporting the Australian community and the economy throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

We share some of the key themes that resonated across the public sector throughout 2020. We also bring insight into the lives of those people who have kept the wheels ably turning during these challenging and uncertain times.

Our Work with Purpose speakers are shining examples of dedication, humility, aptitude, empathy, tutelage, collaboration and leadership.

It’s been a privilege working with and listening to these public servants, academics, and representatives from business and not-for-profit sectors speak so passionately and intelligently about their areas of expertise, sharing how they and their colleagues are working tirelessly to make Australia, and the world, a much better place.

We hope you enjoy this special as much as we have enjoyed bringing the Work with Purpose podcast series to you since its inception one year ago.

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In 2020, a year of uncertainty and risk, the Australian public saw the APS rely on the minds of scientists, and others that work within STEM, like they never have before. A field that in the past has been predominately filled by men, is starting to see some powerful and influential women rise to the top. How did they make it? What choices and career moves did these women make to assist in rising to roles of leadership and how do they advise some of Australia’s most senior politicians on how evidence-based research can help inform decisions and policy?

In this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined Dr. Cathy Foley AO PSM, Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr. Cayt Rowe, Deputy Program Leader at the Department of Defence, and Professor Tanya Monro, Chief Defence Scientist at the Department of Defence.

Foley, Rowe and Monro start off this episode discussing how they worked their way to a leadership role in STEM. What career moves do you have to make? What can you learn about yourself from being in a role of leadership?

The trio also explain how they use their roles to ensure that government officials are taking into account the views of scientists. How do you grab their attention? How has this role changed since the beginning of COVID-19?

The episode finishes with the ladies sharing their views on women in leadership. What challenges do women face in their careers? How do we make the APS more equal for both men and women?

Discussed in this episode:

·        The growing role that STEM is playing in government.

·        How scientists are working with and informing government during the pandemic.

·        The obstacles that women face when rising to the top in their careers.

·        Why a diverse workplace is key to the success of the APS.

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The OECD says that the context and challenges of the public sector are changing at such a rapid pace that the capabilities of public servants must keep up. It's a first-order issue as organisations seek to understand just what are the skills, the knowledge, the behaviour, and the attitude that they will need in their people to successfully compete and operate in a digitally-enabled data-led mobile world. The APS, being the diligent enterprise that it is, has been thinking and planning about this for the past few years has now created a document to address this very issue.

In this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined Mary Wiley-Smith, former Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Public Service Commission and Clare Walsh, Deputy Secretary of Business Enabling Services at the Department of Finance.

Wiley-Smith and Walsh spend this episode mainly discussing the newly released APS Workforce Strategy for 2025. How should those in the APS utilise this strategy? How will it assist in attracting others to join the APS?

The pair also discuss where the strategy will lead the APS digitally. What will the APS see in the future in terms of ICT? Will there be more staff from the ‘digital world’ joining the APS in the next few years?

The episode finishes with the ladies chatting about leadership. Why is leadership so important in any organisation? What does leadership mean across the public service?

Discussed in this episode:

·        The APS Workforce Strategy for 2025

·        What all those across the APS can learn from the workforce strategy

·        The rise of digital in the future of the APS

·        Why leadership is so important across all sectors of work.

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This year has seen Australia face many crises including flood, mice plagues and of course the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. And this is off the back of a crisis filled 2020. So we've really witnessed an accumulative impact. It's really timely today for us just to take this time in this episode, to really explore how, as public servants or former public servants, how we can really draw from our own reserves and our own experiences and create that sense of certainty for our future.

In this episode of Work with Purpose, we are joined by the President of IPAA National, Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, as he chats with Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Rachel O’Connor as they discuss strategic thinking in a crisis.

Brouwer and O’Connor begin this episode by sharing some of their own personal experiences during recent times of crises. How have they built resilience? What skills did they draw on as public servants?

The pair also discuss how they connect with the public during difficult times. How do they build relationships with them? How do they ensure that there is trust in the public service?

The episode finishes with Rachel and Gordon sharing their main lessons which they have learnt about strategic thinking during times of crisis. How do you think when under pressure? How can we use the skills we have learnt during a crisis in future endeavours?

Discussed in this episode:

·        The elements of strategic thinking

·        How to build resilience after a crisis

·        Gaining trust of the public during critical times

·        How we can use the skills we have learnt in a crisis in everyday life

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COVID-19 has created boom time for criminals who seek to deceive for financial and personal gain. These scammers and fraudsters, who've been out in force leveraging the insecurities created byCOVID-19 and the power of digital technology, have launched millions of websites, email, investment employee, supply chain, and charity scams. The global reach of this digital criminal activity has brought governments, businesses, academia, and the third sector to from across the globe together to counter these criminal activities.

This episode brings unique insight and approaches to international perspectives on counter fraud, with a focus on UK, New Zealand and Australia. Guests include Julie Read, Director and Chief Executive at the Serious Fraud Office in New Zealand, Mark Cheeseman OBE, Director of the UK Government Counter Fraud Function, and Andrew Walter, First Assistant Secretary at the Integrity and Security Division at the Attorney General’s Department.

Discussed in this episode:

• Capabilities governments are building and collaborating on to counter fraud and scams.
• What Australia is learning from the experiences of other nations.
• The true cost of fraud to the public sector.
• How COVID-19 has changed the profile of fraud.
• New approaches governments are taking to seek out fraud.

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When it comes to communicating with Indigenous communities, Government needs to be tailored in its approach to ensure messages are clearly relayed and understood. Effective communication, however, is not a one-way street and cannot rely on words alone. Culturally respectful, trust-based relationships, built over time are imperative to ensure every voice is heard, and Indigenous Australians own the decisions and policies that affect their lives and livelihoods.

In this episode we are joined by the National Indigenous Australians Agency’s Chief Executive Officer, Ray Griggs AO CSC, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Operations and Delivery, Letitia Hope, and Justine O’Brien SCMP, President of the International Association of Business Communicators in Canberra.

Discussed in this episode:

• Engaging and connecting with Indigenous audiences.
• Cadence of partnerships and place-based relationships.
• Government as an enabler.
• Importance of all public servants recognising the impact they can have in their Agency.

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How do you lead a team during extreme and sudden times of crisis? This is something that many people all over the world have recently had to face including those in the Australian public service. Today’s interviewers, Isabelle Franklin and Megan Aponte-Payne from the IPAA Future Leaders Committee delve into this topic asking our guests how they showed leadership in crises such as the 2007-8 Global Financial Crisis and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and how these events have changed them and their leadership styles moving forward.

In this episode we are joined by Australian Statistician at the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Dr David Gruen, and Dr Ken Henry AC, the Chair of the Sir Roland Foundation at the Australian National University and a non-executive director of the Australian Securities Exchange.

Discussed in this episode:

• Importance of open and regular communication with staff.
• Balancing personal values vs. corporate ones.
• How leaders can learn from crises
• Examples of effective crisis communications

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What does it take to be an Australian Public Servant? What are the skills and crafts that we need in order to serve the Australian Public in the best way that we can? The APS Academy is a place for all members of the APS to help teach and expand their skills by working on their ‘craft’ to improve their skills to do just that. Launching last week, today’s guests discuss its importance and the role the Academy will play in the future of the APS.

In this episode we are joined by Australian Public Service Commissioner, Peter Woolcott AO, Clare Walsh, the Deputy Secretary of Business Enabling Services at the Department of Finance and Dr Subho Banerjee, the Deputy CEO (Research and Advisory) at ANZSOG as they discuss the launch of the new APS Academy.

Discussed in this episode:

• What is craft and why is it important to the APS?
• How the APS Academy will help the whole of APS
• What you will be able to find on the APS Academy
• Where you can access the Academy content

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One of the biggest challenges that we all face in the Australian Public Service is making our voices heard. With over 150,000 APS employees both in Australia and around the world, this can be quite the task, particularly for those considered to be part of a minority group. So how do we get people to listen? How do we ensure that our words and actions are making an impact and what steps need to be taken in order to do this?

In this episode we are joined by the Chief Executive Officer of the Torres Strait Regional Authority, Leilani Bin-Juda PSM as she is interviewed by IPAA National President Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM to discuss how to make a lasting impact on the APS.

Discussed in this episode:

• Leading a remote agency in the APS
• Torres Strait COVID-19 public sector response
• Representation in the APS
• Learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic

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The Public Service Medal (PSM) pays tribute to public servants who have gone above and beyond to deliver. It pays homage to outstanding service, including service excellence, innovation, leadership and other achievements. 

In this episode we’re joined by Paul Way PSM, Director General at the Department of Defence, Dr Ros Baxter PSM, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Education, Skills and Employment and Caroline Edwards PSM, former Associate Secretary at the Department of Health and IPAA ACT Councillor. Hosted by journalist Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra, Virginia Haussegger AM, they explore the meaning behind and significance of Public Service Medals.

Discussed in this episode:

• Panellists’ reflections on being awarded the PSM
• Inspiration in the public service
• The PSM nomination process

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The pandemic has arguably compelled Australia’s public sector to grow and transform in a way as never seen before. It is more modern, flexible, fit for purpose and up to the task. It should be proud of its stewardship role looking after Australia’s health, social and economic needs throughout COVID-19.

Yet there is always more room to grow.

In this episode we are joined by Simon Atkinson, Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications as he is interviewed by Michael Manthorpe PSM, Commonwealth Ombudsman as part of IPAA’s Secretary Series. 

Discussed in this episode:

• Public sector diversity.
• Systems leadership.
• Mega projects.
• Importance of self-reflection and growth.

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Now more than ever, public servants are being encouraged to take up mobility opportunities and learn from the different experiences offered within the public sector. The benefits of having an open growth mindset and a genuine commitment to understanding different workplace contexts, help us to be more flexible in our roles, and better prepares us for managing the different pathways that our careers take. Diversity of thought and experience also makes for a well-rounded leader.

This special Future Leaders inspired Work with Purpose episode is built around the concept of a how to make an impact in the first 90 days in a new job, within the context of transitioning across the private and public sectors. Guests Jill Charker, Associate Partner, at McKinsey & Company and Stephen Barrow-Yu, Assistant Secretary of Performance, Safety and Integrity at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, speak with Holly Noble, Director, Strategic Planning and Performance at the Department of Finance, and Chair of IPAA ACT’s Future Leaders Committee.

Discussed in this episode:

• The importance of growth and broadening horizons
• Managing career change and adjusting to new roles
• Cross sector relationships and leadership learnings from other sectors

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According to the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC), only 4% of the APS workforce identifies with having a disability. Why is this and what can be done to change this statistic to help make the APS a more enabling, collaborative and a more inclusive workplace for those with a disability?

In this weeks episode of Work with Purpose episode we are joined by Catherine Seaberg, Assistant Commissioner leading the inclusion group at the APSC and Cain Beckett, Assistant Secretary of Policy Projects and Taskforces at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as they discuss improving employment outcomes for those with a disability in the APS.

Discussed in this episode:

• Reflections on personal experience of working with a disability in the APS
• Advocacy and the STEPtember initiative
• What is being done to make the APS more inclusive
• The APS Disability Employment Strategy

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In this special edition of Work with Purpose brought to you by the IPAA ACT EA Committee, we explore what is involved in the role of an EA. What do they do in their day-to-day role? What made them want to be an EA and why should others consider working in these roles that are vital to the running of our APS?

In this weeks episode we are joined by Martin Elliffe, Office Manager for Rachel Stephen-Smith, the ACT Minister for Health, Rhana Crago, Executive Assistant to Rosemary Huxtable, the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Courtney Djerke, Executive Assistant at MinterEllison. Listen as they chat to Executive Assistant to Randall Brugeaud, Head of Simplified Trade System Implementation Taskforce and Deputy Chair of IPAA’s ACT EA Committee, Alyssa Broomby about the important work they do in their roles as Executive Assistants.

Discussed in this episode:

• How lockdown has impacted the roles of EA’s
• Managing a healthy work life balance
• Supporting mental health of others in your team
• Practice advice for others working in the field

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For almost two years Australia’s border has been closed off to the rest of the world to help protect Australia from COVID-19. Closing this border was not an easy task and opening it won’t be either. Australia’s Border Force are the ones that are set with these difficult tasks. Working day and night, these important members of the APS help protect Australia from an array of pests and diseases, and more recently, COVID-19.

In this weeks episode we are joined by Michael Outram, Commissioner at the Australian Border Force, as we discuss the important work the ABF has been doing to help keep Australia safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussed in this episode:

• The ABF’s COVID-19 response
• Challenges faced during the pandemic
• Steps being taken to reopen Australia’s border
• Technologies used in the ABF to help keep Australian’s safe

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The role of the Australian Public Service, as defined in the Public Service Act 1999, is to apolitically, efficiently and effectively serve the Government, the Parliament and the Australian people. With this in mind, what is the role of the APS at Federal election time? What processes and procedures does the APS need to follow to keep the cogs of government turning while continuing to serve key stakeholders during caretaker periods?

In this episode we're joined by Dr Stein Helgeby the Parliamentary Budget Officer, Peter Rush, Assistant Secretary of Parliamentary and Government at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Rina Bruinsma First Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Public Service Commission and Katrina di Marco, First Assistant Secretary of Tax Analysis division at The Treasury.

Discussed in this episode:

• An overview of caretaker conventions.
• The role of the Parliamentary Budget Office.
• The relationship between the APS and Ministerial offices.
• Staying apolitical.

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COVID-19 has obviously had a huge impact on Australia. House prices have gone up, offices have moved to home, school has become virtual and let’s not forget the great toilet paper crisis of 2020. Every government department has been working hard to embrace this impact and more importantly begin thinking about how to recover from it moving forward. The infrastructure sector is no stranger to this. Spanning from transport, cities and communications, the pandemic has certainly reshaped its future. So what will the future look like and who are the key players behind it all?

In this weeks episode we are joined by Deputy Secretary of Regional, Cities and Territories at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, Dr Rachel Bacon Director-General at Transport Canberra and City Services, Alison Playford. Listen as they chat with guest host, Michael Sanese, Senior Manager at PwC from IPAA ACT’s Future Leaders Committee about the impact COVID has had in the infrastructure sector.

Discussed in this episode:

• Australia’s infrastructure landscape
• COVID-19 recovery plans
• Managing supply and demand
• Leading in a crisis

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The COVID-driven surge to working from home has given us a taste of what different ways of working can look like. Many are enjoying the flexibility, balance, autonomy and other benefits of not working within the constraints of the nine to five office environment. As we come out of the pandemic many workplaces, including the public sector, are trying to figure how to effectively incorporate working from home into business as usual. How do we stay productive when working from home? How do we ensure parity of experience to colleagues the office?

In this week’s episode we are joined by Associate Professor of Human Resource Management at the School of Business, UNSW, Dr Sue Williamson and Chair of the Productivity Commission, Michael Brennan.

Discussed in this episode:

• Policy implications of a home-based workforce.
• Considerations including gender equality and team cohesion.
• Workplace flexibility beyond the home office.
• Happiness and wellbeing in a hybrid workforce.

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Happy Holidays! It’s been a big year for the APS and we hope you all have a restful and well deserved break. Here at WWP we are also taking a much needed break. We will be back in your ears shortly, but in the meantime here is one of our favourites from the year, an intriguing conversation on leadership in times of crisis with Dr David Gruen and Dr Ken Henry AC.

Happy listening and enjoy the break.

Discussed in this episode:

• Importance of open and regular communication with staff.
• Balancing personal values vs. corporate ones.
• How leaders can learn from crises
• Examples of effective crisis communications

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy Holidays! It’s been a big year for the APS and we hope you all have a restful and well deserved break. Here at WWP we are also taking a much needed break. We will be back in your ears shortly, but in the meantime here is one of our favourites from the year, an insightful conversation on indigenous communications with Letitia Hope, Ray Griggs and Justine O’Brien.

Happy listening and enjoy the break.

Discussed in this episode:

• Engaging and connecting with Indigenous audiences.
• Cadence of partnerships and place-based relationships.
• Government as an enabler.
• Importance of all public servants recognising the impact they can have in their Agency.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The number of women in the field of economics in Australia is unproportionally low. How can we address this issue and encourage more women to work in the field of economics? And what are the consequences if we don’t?

In this week’s episode we are joined by Cherelle Murphy, Chief Economist at Austrade, and Dr Leonora Risse, Senior Lecturer in Economics at RMIT University and National Chair of the Women in Economics Network.

Discussed in this episode:

• Creating a career in economics.
• Improving gender equality in economics in the public sector.
• Applying the ‘gender lens’ on economic analysis and policy design.
• The future of women in economics.

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One in three Australian women have experienced physical violence. One in four Australian women have experienced violence by an intimate partner. One in five Australian women have experienced sexual violence. These statistics merely touch the sides of a very serious and significant problem.

The Government is now in the consultation stage for the 2022-2032 National Action Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children. Drawing on experience and lessons learnt from the current National Plan, a wealth of expertise from across agencies, jurisdictions and sectors, and a contemporary post-COVID way of working, the new National Plan is shaping up to further close the gap on violence against women through a range of initiatives.

In this week’s episode we are joined by the Co-chairs of the National Plan Advisory Group, Alison Frame, Deputy Secretary of the Social Policy Group at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Liz Hefren-Webb, Deputy Secretary of Families and Communities at the Department of Social Services.

Discussed in this episode:

·        Domestic violence in Australia.

·        The focus of the 2022-2032 National Plan.

·        Leveraging architectural changes and Government responsiveness brought about by COVID.

·        Bolstering outcomes through collaborations and major cross-cutting strategies. 

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The vast majority of public servants behave respectfully and civilly to their colleagues, but employee surveys of public servants across the country repeatedly show that bullying and harassment is still a significant issue. There is strong evidence that it weakens institutions, undermines productivity and innovation and poisons workplace culture. So, what does workplace bullying and harassment look like and what can be done to tackle it and make sure that we have safe and respectful workplaces in the public sector.

In this week’s episode we are joined by Victorian Public Sector Commissioner, Adam Fennessey PSM, Vice-Chancellor and President at Charles Sturt University in Bathurst, Renee Leon PSM and President of IPAA National, Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM. Listen as they are interviewed by guest host, Clare Walsh, the Deputy Secretary of Business Enabling Services at the Department of Finance and Councillor at IPAA ACT.

Discussed in this episode:

·        What makes a healthy workplace culture.

·        The current state of bullying and harassment in the APS.

·        Varied approaches to tackling workplace bullying

·        The impact this has on the APS.

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COVID-19 has accelerated the uptake of digital technology and brought about a greater awareness of wellbeing and productivity, particularly in times of crisis. It has forced a new way of working for teams, organisations and individuals. So, what are the lessons that we've learned from the past couple of years and what do we need to do to ensure that we can create and sustain high performing organisations throughout this time of change? What are the building blocks for improving performance and productivity and how do we manage and sustain not just our own performance, but the performance of the people who we lead at this time?

In this week’s episode we are joined by two former federal APS Departmental Secretaries who are now part of the team at Proximity. Glenys Beauchamp PSM is the Principal Advisor of Proximity’s health and industry practices and Kerri Hartland is a Principal Advisor and Chair of their Advisory Board. Listen as they chat to David Pembroke, contentgroup Founder and CEO, in a conversation originally recorded as a webinar between contentgroup and Proximity.

Discussed in this episode:

·        New ways of problem solving.

·        The importance of planning, no matter the situation.

·        Risk management and mitigation in the APS.

·        The APS response to misinformation.

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Before the pandemic, the APSC reported that 22% of APS employees were working from home or utilising flexible working arrangements. As we all know, when COVID-19 hit the nation, this number grew substantially to 56%. In 2022 Australians are slowly learning how to work in the context of the pandemic. This means that for many flexible working arrangements are becoming the norm, including those in the APS. So, the question is posed, do we have to be in the office or even the same city as our office in order to work effectively and efficiently?

In this week’s episode we are joined by Duncan Young, General Manager of the Census and Data Acquisition Division at the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Ali Jenkins, Senior Executive at the APS Reform Office at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Listen as they both share how they are leading teams in Canberra, remotely from Tasmania.

Discussed in this episode:

·        The pluses and minuses of working remotely to your team.

·        Key tips for remote working.

·        Maintaining professional relationships from a distance.

·        The future of flexible working. 

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The devastating 1926 Australian east coast bushfires were a critical point in history that highlighted the imperative for governments to collaborate across jurisdictions. At that time, Victoria and New South Wales worked together to establish insurance populations of species to ensure their ongoing survival.

Over 100 years on, and with a whole new spectrum of environmental issues at the fore, all levels of governments are still refining how to work together to get the best outcomes for their own jurisdictions, Australian citizens and the environment.

In this week’s episode we are joined by Kate Lynch, the First Assistant Secretary of the Environment Protection division at the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and Warrick McGrath, the Director of Biodiversity Regulatory Reform at the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning. Listen as they explore the topic of working across jurisdictions on environment, policy, and regulation.

Discussed in this episode:

• The importance of relationships and trust.
• Collaborating across governments while maintaining jurisdictional loyalty.
• The role of Local Government.
• Tips for working with stakeholders on environmental policies.

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We are currently experiencing a reset of the strategic order and rules that have governed our region for more than 70 years. China is challenging American dominance. We’re seeing the rise of other powers such as India and Indonesia, and a more assertive Japan. This, compounded with climate change, stress on the natural systems and food sources, has created a strategic environment that Australia hasn't had to deal with before. Policy makers – in fact all Australians - need to reconsider how we operate in the region, how we contribute, how we exercise leadership and what role we will play in responding to these enormous changes.

This episode is a special one, as it was recorded shortly before the untimely passing of Brendan Sargeant. Brendan was the Professor of Practice in Defence and Strategic Studies and Head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University (ANU), former Associate Secretary of Defence, and long-time supporter and Deputy President of IPAA ACT. In the episode, Brendan is joined by Katherine Mansted, Director of Cyber Intelligence and Public Policy at CyberCX and Senior Fellow at the ANU’s National Security College.

Discussed in this episode:

• A rapidly changing Asia-Pacific region and its impact on Australia.
• Articulating difficult conversations to develop a robust sense of defence in a complex time.
• The impact of climate change on the strategic order.
• The APS response.

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Meetings can consume a large part of our working day, so we expect them to be productive and meaningful. While many of us ‘endure’ hours of seemingly wasteful meeting time, we need to remember that meetings are essentially a platform for unlocking the potential of people working collectively. They are a place where organisational culture forms and takes hold.

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by Sean Innis, Principal of Damala St Consulting and Fellow of the Australian Studies Institute at the Australian National University, and Dr Subho Banerjee, Deputy CEO, Research and Advisory at the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG). They speak with Megan Aponte-Payne, IPAA ACT Future Leaders Committee Member, on designing and conducting meetings that work for you and for your organisation.

Discussed in this episode:

• Improving meeting effectiveness.
• Striking a balance between being well prepared and adaptive in meetings.
• Structuring meetings to enhance organisational culture.
• Replicating ‘corridor chats’ in virtual meetings.

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Australia, like all countries, has experienced rapid change over the last few years which has altered people's expectations of government and the way they access government services. A new government at the federal level also means change – a need to adapt to new priorities, connect with stakeholders and build new relationships.

In this latest episode, we’re joined by Australian Public Service (APS) veterans, Andrew Podger AO, Professor of Public Policy at the Australian National University, and Carmel McGregor PSM, Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra. They discuss:

• What the APS can expect from the new government.
• A new reform agenda.
• Future directions for the public service.
• Building more effective relationships between public service and academia.

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The public service offers opportunity to contribute to positive outcomes for Australian communities and to pursue rewarding careers. It also comes with challenges, obstacles, ethical dilemmas, and racism for some of our First Nations public servants.

Our conversation for this episode is an important one, with our guests exploring the push and pull factors for First Nations people in the Australian Public Service. It’s brought to you in NAIDOC Week, and as we are being encouraged to stand up for change, rally around Indigenous communities and make a stand for institutional and structural reforms. 

We’re joined by Professor Tom Calma AO FFA, Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Kate Thomann, General Manager of Business Development and Employment at the Aboriginal Hostels Limited, and Geoff Richardson PSM, First Nations Development Consultant. They share insights from decades of service in the APS, including:

• Push and pull factors for First Nations people in the APS.
• Benefits of public sector careers.
• Dealing with stigma within Indigenous communities of working in the APS.
• Addressing racism.

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If you speak to almost anyone in Australia, they have probably heard of Questacon. Whether it’s on your year six excursion to Canberra or during the school holidays, it is a fun vibrant place where kids can learn about all things science and technology. However, a lesser known fact about the well-known tourist attraction is that it’s wide range of staff are all members of the APS.

From working at the information desk, presenting science shows and even chatting about science in the galleries, each and every member of Questacon is playing their role in creating inspiration for not only children across Australia, but the APS as well.

In this episode we are joined by three members from Questacon, The National Science and Technology Centre; Deputy Director and General Manager Kate Driver, Exhibition Designer Rachel Ball and Learning Programs Content Development Leader, David Cannell. Listen as they discuss a different side to working in the APS.

Discussed in this episode:

·       Benefits of working at Questacon.

·       Creativity in the public sector.

·       Innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

·       The future of the Centre.

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The new federal government has made the performance of the Australian Public Service a priority. A key part of this is the capacity of public servants to acquire and manage data and to effectively identify and adopt new digital technology. To deliver on those improvements, it is integral for those in digital and data to work together. This has been evident over the last couple of years, to deliver COVID-19 vaccine statuses and case numbers to the public in a timely manner.

In this episode, we are joined by National Data Commissioner, Gayle Milnes and Chief Executive Officer at the Digital Transformation Agency, Chris Fechner. Listen as they discuss how they work to increase the use and availability of Australian Government Data.

Discussed in this episode:

· How the DATA scheme works.

· The role of data sharing across government in the COVID-19 pandemic.

· Digital transformation in the Australian government.

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Working in the public service means to serve for the country and the future of its people. The public service is a critical function of Australia’s democracy; however, it is a complex and challenging environment. With the last couple of years of the pandemic, the Australian public service has shifted rapidly from a competitive environment to a more collaborative one between Departments.

In this episode, we are joined by Harinder Sidhu, Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Patrick Hetherington, Chief Operating Officer at the Department of Social Services, and Sean Innis, Principal of Damala Street Consulting. Hosted by Chairman of Partners Canberra at KPMG, Cath Ingram, they explore the purpose, impact, rewards, and challenges of contemporary public service.

Discussed in this episode:

· The pressures of an ‘always-on’ environment.

· The role of stewardship.

· Ethical decision making.

· The hollowing and building of capability.

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Change has become the new normal, whether it is in response to an external shock, or internally generated to capitalise on an emerging strategic opportunity. With change, comes a need for workforce transformation. Given the risks and opportunities that leaders face today, what skills do leaders need in order to successfully lead workforce transformation?

In this episode, we are joined by Adam Canwell, the Australian Lead of People Advisory Services Partner: Victoria at EY, Dr Andrew White, a Senior Fellow in Management Practice at Saïd Business School, Oxford University, and Harinder Sidhu, the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Listen as they discuss recent research on the skills needed to lead workforce transformation, and its relevance to the Australian public service.

Discussed in this episode:

· Findings of recent studies in workforce transformation.

· Factors that are necessary for a successful workforce transformation.

· Workforce transformation in the Australian public service.

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The pandemic has significantly changed the public and private sector workforce, with a rapid shift towards flexible and dispersed work. We now face challenges such as changing expectations of government and the community, talent shortages and the evolving employee value proposition. In this new normal, organisations have had to reposition their infrastructure and rethink the role of leadership and culture.

In this episode, we are joined by Belinda Casson, Acting Chief Operating Officer at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Michael Nelson, General Manager at Services Australia, and Rachael Jackson, Chief Operating Officer at the National Indigenous Australians Agency. Listen as they discuss the implications of our new normal, including insights into what employees are now wanting.

This episode has been adapted from a recent IPAA webinar on 31 August 2022, which was held in partnership with Hays Recruitment. The webinar was hosted by Clara Fallon, Associate Regional Director, ACT at Hays.

Discussed in this episode:

• Digitalisation of work to adapt to the new normal
• Aligning organisation values to changing expectations
• Addressing the evolving employee value proposition in the public service

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The digital revolution has offered new ways to obtain data, without the need of putting a new survey in the field. New data sources have now become available, including job and wage data and household consumption. With the passing of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022 in March, we can anticipate an increased use of data to help deliver services, inform policies, and support research in the Australian government.

In this episode, Dr David Gruen AO, Australian Statistician at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, explores the critical role of data in responding to the pandemic and the future collaboration in deriving public value from data. His address was followed by a conversation with Cheryl-anne Moy, Deputy Secretary of Immigration and Settlement Services at the Department of Home Affairs, and IPAA ACT Deputy President.

Discussed in this episode:

• New data sources that have become available and how they are being used to generate new statistics.
• The growth in integrated data assets across various dimensions.
• The opportunities presented by the passage of the Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022.

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Being an Executive Assistant can be a challenging role which requires thorough understanding of leadership. However, every EA experiences success through different leadership styles. So, what are some experiences, expertise, and lessons that EAs can learn over their careers?

In this episode, we are joined by Stephanie Ebert, EA to the CEO at Services Australia, Michelle Oliver, EA to David Fredericks PSM, Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, and Sarah Kalleske, EA to the Head of Service and Director-General at ACT Public Service. The discussion revolved around emerging issues and challenges that EAs face.

The discussion was facilitated by Holly Noble, Director of Strategic Planning and Performance at the Department of Finance.

Discussed in this episode:

• What it is like to be an Executive Assistant.
• Creating impact through adaptive and situational leadership.
• How EAs can meet the increasing expectations and challenges they face.

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A well-functioning public service relies on good leaders with the right skills and attributes. The recently published Charter of Leadership Behaviours outlines the types of positive behaviours that APS leaders should exhibit. So, what does great APS leadership look like? How can we nurture it and how does it help us deliver great outcomes?

In this episode, Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, delivers a keynote address about great APS leadership. It was followed by a conversation with David Fredericks PSM, Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Natalie James, Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, and Peter Woolcott AO, the Australian Public Service Commissioner.

Discussed in this episode:

• Leadership behaviours that have helped the APS rise to the challenges of recent years.
• Navigating leadership challenges in future APS reform.
• How to bring adaptive systems leadership to life.

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There has been a significant decline internationally in trust in democracies. Winning back people’s trust is a key challenge facing the Australian Government and its institutions. In the APS Reform agenda, the Australian Government aims to restore the trust of its people through four key priorities.

In this episode, we listen to the Minister for the Public Service, Senator the Hon. Katy Gallagher, reflect on the APS Reform agenda at the recent 2022 IPAA National Conference. Her address discusses the priorities in detail, and how the Australian Government will work towards achieving them.

Discussed in this episode:

• Priority 1: An APS that embodies integrity in everything it does,
• Priority 2: An APS that puts people and business at the centre of policy and services,
• Priority 3: An APS that is a model employer, and
• Priority 4: An APS that has the capability to do its job well.

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In this special re-run of one of our most popular episodes of 2022, we feature the late Brendan Sargeant, who was the Professor of Practice in Defence and Strategic Studies and Head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University (ANU), former Associate Secretary of Defence, and long-time supporter and Deputy President of IPAA ACT. Professor Sargeant sadly passed away shortly after the recording of this episode, leaving a legacy of invaluable contributions to ANU, the Australian Public Service, the Australian Defence Force, the wider Canberra community and the nation.

Brendan was joined by Katherine Mansted, Director of Cyber Intelligence and Public Policy at CyberCX and Senior Fellow at the ANU National Security College.

Discussed in this episode:

• A rapidly changing Asia-Pacific region and its impact on Australia.
• Articulating difficult conversations to develop a robust sense of defence in a complex time.
• The impact of climate change on the strategic order.
• The APS response.

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The public service offers opportunity to contribute to positive outcomes for Australian communities and to pursue rewarding careers. It also comes with challenges, obstacles, ethical dilemmas, and racism for some of our First Nations public servants.

In this special re-run of one of our most popular episodes of 2022, we revisit the conversation we brought to our listeners in NAIDOC Week. The conversation explores the push and pull factors for First Nations people in the Australian Public Service.

We were joined by Professor Tom Calma AO FFA, Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Kate Thomann, the Executive Director, Research and Education, AIATSIS, and Geoff Richardson PSM, First Nations Development Consultant. They shared insights from decades of service in the APS.

Discussed in this episode:

• Push and pull factors for First Nations people in the APS.
• Benefits of public sector careers.
• Dealing with the stigma of working in the APS within Indigenous communities.
• Addressing racism.

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Change is now the new normal, whether it is in response to an external shock, or internally generated to capitalise on an emerging strategic opportunity. With change, comes a need for workforce transformation.

In this special re-run episode, we revisit the conversation we brought to our listeners in August 2022. The conversation explores the topic of workforce transformation and the skills that leaders need to make it stick.

We were joined by Adam Canwell, Oceania Workforce Advisory Leader at EY Australia, Dr Andrew White, a Senior Fellow in Management Practice at the Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, and Harinder Sidhu, the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Discussed in this episode:

• Findings of recent studies in workforce transformation.
• Factors that are necessary for a successful workforce transformation.
• Workforce transformation in the Australian public service.

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The vast majority of public servants behave respectfully and civilly to their colleagues, but employee surveys of public servants across the country repeatedly show that bullying and harassment are still significant issues. There is strong evidence that it weakens institutions, undermines productivity and innovation, and poisons workplace culture.

In this special re-run episode, we revisit an important conversation that we brought to our listeners as part of the ‘National Perspective’ series. The conversation explores what workplace bullying and harassment look like and how to ensure safe and respectful workplaces in the public sector.

We were joined by Adam Fennessy PSM, Head of ANZSOG (The Australia and New Zealand School of Government), Professor Renée Leon PSM FIPAA, Vice-Chancellor and President at Charles Sturt University and President of IPAA National, and Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Secretary of APS Reform.

Discussed in this episode:

• What makes a healthy workplace culture.
• The current state of bullying and harassment in the APS.
• Varied approaches to tackling workplace bullying.
• The impact this has on the APS.

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The devastating 1926 Australian east coast bushfires were a critical point in history that highlighted the imperative for governments to collaborate across jurisdictions. At that time, Victoria and New South Wales worked together to establish insurance populations of species to ensure their ongoing survival.

In this special re-run episode, we revisit the conversation we brought to our listeners in May 2022, as a collaboration between IPAA Victoria's Young IPAA Network and IPAA ACT's Future Leaders Committee. It was about working across jurisdictions on environmental policy and regulation.

The conversation was hosted by Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Secretary of APS Reform. His guests were Kate Lynch, First Assistant Secretary of the Environment Protection Division at DCCEEW (the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water), and Warrick McGrath, Director at Biodiversity Regulatory Reform, Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning.

Discussed in this episode:

• The importance of relationships and trust.
• Collaborating across governments while maintaining jurisdictional loyalty.
• The role of local government.
• Tips for working with stakeholders on environmental policies.

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Neurodiversity has become an important topic in the Australian public sector. With research suggesting that teams can be 30 per cent more productive with neurodivergent professionals, workplaces stand much to gain from greater inclusivity. Yet, many public sector workplaces can still do more to be neurodiversity inclusive.

This time, we feature three public service thought leaders in the field, Lee Steel, Ability Network Champion and First Assistant Secretary, Intergovernmental Relations and Reform from PM&C (Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet), Robin Edmonds, Inclusion and Diversity Adviser and Co-Chair of the Ability Network at PM&C, and Andrew Pfeiffer, Ability Network Executive and Adviser at PM&C. They discuss what public sector workplaces could look like in 2028 and how to better support neurodivergent individuals.

For resources relevant to this episode, visit: https://contentgroup.com.au/work_with_purpose/ep-77-embracing-neurodiversity-in-the-public-sector/

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The LGBTQIA+ community represents a considerable part of the Australian workforce, and many workplaces are striving to ensure they feel valued, safe, and respected.

Yet, a survey by Diversity Council Australia has revealed why it is so important that organisations in Australia continue to build on that work. According to their findings, only 32 per cent of LGBTQIA+ respondents were out to all of their colleagues, and this has potentially dire consequences for their well-being and job satisfaction.

With WorldPride underway in Sydney for the first time, Frances Gamble, CEO at Out for Australia, David Momcilovic, Director at the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, ACT Government, and Marty Jovic, health economist and partner PwC Australia join guest host Holly Noble to shine a light on what pride looks like in the public sector and how we can create workplaces that reflect the full diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Discussed in this episode:

• Barriers the LGBTQIA+ community faces in the workplace.
• The role of mentoring for young people to improve their confidence.
• The intersectionality approach to achieve equity.
• Methods the public service can adopt to support the LGBTQIA+ community.

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Partnerships are crucial for achieving meaningful change, whether that’s between organisations, people, or communities. Wanting to leverage this potential, advancing partnerships has come into sharp focus for the public sector through the APS reform agenda.

However, developing these partnerships can be challenging – the more partners are involved, the more they have to grapple with different interests and challenges. Common purpose, diversity in perspectives, and effective governance are key to overcoming those barriers.

In this episode, we discuss building strong partnerships within and outside the Australian public sector with Professor Janine O’Flynn, Director at the ANU Crawford School of Public Policy, and David Pullen, Assistant Secretary, Cabinet Resilience and Crisis Management Division at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 

Discussed in this episode:

• The role of vulnerability, humility, and trust within partnerships
• Finding a common purpose
• Bridging the divide between research and policy implementation
• Building a shared understanding of each partner’s role

Links:

• APS reform agenda
• Spirit of Service awards 2021-22 finalists

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Despite greater flexibility and more opportunities, the recent International Women’s Day has again reminded Australians that gender equity still has some way to go. The country’s gender pay gap persists, and women are still underrepresented in leadership positions according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

One of the ways workplaces and women themselves are trying to turn the tide, is to offer and actively engage in mentoring. On this episode, guest host and Institute of Public Administration Australia ACT CEO Caroline Walsh speaks with two inspirational female leaders, Tania Rishniw, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Health and Aged Care, and Nina Davidson, Deputy Director-General Intelligence at the Office of National Intelligence about how mentoring can benefit women during their careers, and what a great mentoring relationship should look like.

Tania, Nina, and Caroline also speak about some of the women that inspired them, including the influential Dr Margot McCarthy, who championed women through coaching and mentoring until her recent passing in 2022. Margot was the first female national security advisor, a leader in social policy and a founder of the APS Academy.

Discussed in this episode:

• Honesty, openness, and listening as key ingredients for good mentoring
• Margot McCarthy’s fierce leadership and support for other women
• Overcoming self-censorship as a woman
• Empowering and amplifying women’s voices

Show notes:

2022 State of the Service Report | Australian Public Service Commission

Women spend more time than men on unpaid work | Australian Bureau of Statistics

Strengthening leadership capability | Australian Public Service Commission

Gender dimensions of the security sector in Australia | Australian Women in Security Network

Dr Margot McCarthy Memorial Scholarship for Women in Security

Gender Scorecard 2022 | Workplace Gender Equality Agency

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The Robodebt Royal Commission has shone a light on the tremendous impact government policy gone wrong can have on the lives of Australians. The evidence given at the royal commission hearings has also brought into question the state of ‘frank and fearless advice’ in the service.

On this episode of Work with Purpose, together with two public service leaders – Kathy Leigh, Head of Service and Director-General of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, ACT Government and Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM FIPAA, Secretary for Public Sector Reform – we examine the impact of robodebt, discuss how the public service might reinforce its values around integrity, and rebuild courage and pride in its work.

Discussed in this episode:

• The importance of empathy and compassion for those affected, the public, and the public service
• The role of impartiality and objectivity in giving policy advice
• Best practice behaviour and delivery to further embed integrity culture
• What a modern and responsive public service should look like

Shownotes:

Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme

The Guardian | Robodebt

Independent Review of the APS | Public service value statement

APS Reform Office | Have your say

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Australia's public service is based on the principle of providing frank and fearless advice, where advice given is expected to be honest and politically neutral to ensure public trust. However, despite the release of official policy advice, governments are sometimes accused of ignoring or rejecting their experts, raising questions about the efficacy of the advice itself.

On this episode of Work with Purpose, we discuss with ANU academic Dr Christiane Gerblinger about her recently released book ‘How government experts self-sabotage: the language of the rebuffed’. Along with host David Pembroke, Dr Gerblinger discusses the reasons behind the government's tendency to ignore or reject policy advice, including experts' reluctance to disclose information to accommodate political circumstances, and suggests ways to improve the structure and presentation of official advice for it to be taken up.

Discussed in this episode:

• Why expert policy advice is often overlooked by the government in Australia.
• Analysis of specific cases where policy advice was ignored or rejected.
• Suggestions for improving the structure and presentation of official advice.
• How experts can better convince their audience to consider their advice in decision-making.

Shownotes:

How government experts self-sabotage: the language of the rebuffed

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Reliable data is critical for public policy and program development, but many public sector staff still need to build their digital capability and literacy. Currently, the APS Reform Office is reviewing the digital skills of public servants and ways to enhance their skill sets.

To contribute to this important conversation, the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) ACT is hosting the Australian Government Data Forum on May 17. This event will bring together experts from public and private sectors to discuss how data can inform policy and program delivery. The forum is organised in partnership with the Graduate Data Network, the Office of the National Data Commissioner, and the APS Data Profession, which comprises over 1,000 members from 40 agencies.

In this episode, we are joined by two members from the Graduate Data Network – Moira McLoughlin, Graduate at the Department of the Senate, and Samuel McMurray, Data Analyst at the Australian Taxation Office. Together, they share valuable insights into the world of data science and its significance in shaping policy and government programs within the Australian public service. They also discuss tools for staying on top of developments in data technology, such as natural language processing, and the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in the field of data.

Discussed in this episode:

• Reasons for joining Graduate Data Network and appeal of working with data
• How data is helping to deliver better policy in the field of family, domestic, and sexual violence
• The significance of artificial intelligence for the future of government programs
• Why you should attend the Australian Government Data Forum.

Show notes:

https://www.act.ipaa.org.au/events/2023/australian-government-data-forum-2023

https://www.act.ipaa.org.au/events/2023/aps-data-awards-dinner-2023

https://www.ibm.com/topics/natural-language-processing

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Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used by public services globally, including in Australia, to improve policy-making and program creation. AI has immense potential to transform how the public sector functions and serves communities, from streamlining copywriting to providing strategic advice. However, there are risks and limitations associated with using AI, such as privacy breaches, accountability issues, and bias concerns.

In this episode of Work with Purpose, Caroline Walsh, CEO of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) ACT hosts a conversation which explores the potential and challenges of using generative AI in the Australian public sector. Sally Bayley-Nelson, manager of the AusIndustry Insights team, and Anthony Murfett, head of division for Technology and Digital at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, share their experiences using generative AI tools for their work and discuss the benefits and limitations of the technology. They also talk about the risks that the public sector needs to be mindful of when working with AI and the importance of putting guardrails in place to regulate its use.

Discussed in this episode:

• Use of generative AI: benefits and limitations in the workplace
• Risks in using generative AI in the public sector and regulatory guardrails
• How AI suggests regulating itself: thoughts and missing points
• Best practices and hopes for AI in the public sector's future.

Show notes:

https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

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