Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

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 APSAdvocacy and the STEPtember initiativeWhat is being done to make the APS more inclusiveThe APS Disability Employment Strategy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 horizonsManaging career change and adjusting to new rolesCross sector relationships and leadership learnings from other sectors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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 serviceThe PSM nomination process Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 APSTorres Strait COVID-19 public sector responseRepresentation in the APSLearnings from the COVID-19 pandemic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 APSWhat you will be able to find on the APS AcademyWhere you can access the Academy content Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 crisesExamples of effective crisis communications Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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