Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

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

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

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

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

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 normalAligning organisation values to changing expectationsAddressing the evolving employee value proposition in the public service Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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

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

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