Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

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 serviceThe role of impartiality and objectivity in giving policy adviceBest practice behaviour and delivery to further embed integrity cultureWhat a modern and responsive public service should look likeShownotes:Royal Commission into the Robodebt SchemeThe Guardian | RobodebtIndependent Review of the APS | Public service value statementAPS Reform Office | Have your say Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 mentoringMargot McCarthy’s fierce leadership and support for other womenOvercoming self-censorship as a womanEmpowering and amplifying women’s voicesShow notes:2022 State of the Service Report | Australian Public Service CommissionWomen spend more time than men on unpaid work | Australian Bureau of Statistics Strengthening leadership capability | Australian Public Service CommissionGender dimensions of the security sector in Australia | Australian Women in Security NetworkDr Margot McCarthy Memorial Scholarship for Women in SecurityGender Scorecard 2022 | Workplace Gender Equality Agency Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 partnershipsFinding a common purposeBridging the divide between research and policy implementationBuilding a shared understanding of each partner’s roleLinks:APS reform agendaSpirit of Service awards 2021-22 finalists Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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