Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

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

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

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

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

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

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 periodThe challenges of getting Australians homeGovernment communication through social mediaThe change in her department and their routineWhat is the right leadership style during a crisisWhat does recovery look likeAdjustments future leaders need to makeBecoming resilient through personal reflection Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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