Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector.

Daniel Patterson has always been keen to do good for Canberra’s communities – and their backyards. On this episode of Public Sector Unearthed, the horticulture expert and passionate public servant tells us the story of Canberra’s innovative European Wasp program.Daniel shares how his team manages European wasps in the ACT, by focusing on eco-friendly, preventative measures. He talks us through how the program evolved through using new luring techniques and focusing on preventative, rather than reactive, approaches for trapping queen wasps to reduce the wasp population.The program became a standout initiative in public safety and environmental management, earning the 2023 IPAA ACT Spirit of Service Awards in the ‘Breakthrough’ category.This episode’s Unearthed wisdom: Pest control is crucial to keeping local species and communities safe and thriving. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, Matt Padovan and Noel Chan from the ACT public service walk us through the organisation’s innovative flexible work program.Having worked on this project well before the world had to grapple with more flexible work demands due to COVID-19, Matt, who is director of flexible work within the ACT Government’s Office of Industrial Relations and Workforce Strategy, reflects on the program’s development. He highlights that it is as much about innovative workspaces as it is about cultural uplift, and why this approach wasn’t without challenges in the initial stages.Noel, who is director of the North Canberra Hospital Transition Project at the ACT Health Directorate is an avid user of the flexi hub workspaces, with the Belconnen site being her personal favourite. She talks about how the flexible workspaces have improved her work-life balance, and how it’s helped her gain a fresh perspective on the importance of collaboration between different directorates.Together with guest presenter Brock Phyland, Matt and Noel explore how flexible workspaces have transitioned from simply providing location flexibility to driving a cultural shift that promotes collaboration and innovation across various government areas.This episode’s Unearthed wisdom: Experimentation and taking risks are key to creating flexible workspaces that are responsive to workforce needs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 7 of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, we hear the success story of the Fitzroy Crossing service centre's redevelopment from Ewa Griffiths and Zara Nehow, who were at the core of this initiative. Their innovative approach involved creating a co-designed space that respects local needs and incorporates elements reflecting cultural aspects and Indigenous arts. This earned them the 2023 IPAA ACT Spirit of Service Awards in the Community Engagement category.Ewa, the director of face-to-face service transformation at Services Australia, discusses the broader vision and strategic approach behind the redesign of the Fitzroy Crossing service center. She talks us through how the plan for the redesign came about and highlights lessons for future service center redesigns.Meanwhile, Zara, who is the service centre manager at Fitzroy Crossing with Services Australia hones in on community connection and takes us on a virtual walkthrough of the service centre. She also talks candidly about the impact of the 2023 floods on the newly opened center and how it has affected the redesign and the community.This episode’s unearthed wisdom: Empathy, collaboration, and a deep respect for cultural heritage are the cornerstones of creating spaces where communities can truly connect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 6 of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, we dive into the Empowered Communities program with Kristina Musial-Aderer, adviser, Empowered Communities at the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Reshaune Singer, engagement officer for NPY Empowered Communities and Jason Quin, executive manager of NPY Empowered Communities. They share how the program runs from the ground up, how they connect with community, and what motivates them to keep going every day.Kristina, shines a light on what the makes the Empowered Communities program stand out and how the government acts not as the primary driver but as an enabling partner. She also highlights how the program varies significantly across different communities and regions to accommodate the unique needs and circumstances of each area.Joining the conversation from Alice Springs, Reshaune, and Jason provide insights into how the program is running in the NPY region. Located in a tri-state area, Jason and Reshaune talk about the need for strong community ties and innovative communication and decision-making strategies are important for success. The conversation also explores their personal journeys, revealing the deep connections and motivations that drive their commitment to working closely with First Nations communities.This episode’s unearthed wisdom: Empowering First Nations communities requires genuine partnership, respect for indigenous knowledge, and a commitment to community-led solutions.Shownotes:Data and Digital Government Strategy | Charter of Partnerships and Engagement Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 5 of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, we go behind the scenes of the Connected Beginnings program and talk to two public servants dedicated to giving First Nations children the best start in life.Lesley Richardson, director of Connected Beginnings Angurugu at the Department of Education, Northern Territory Government, shares how her career led her to playing a key role in the Connected Beginnings program in Angurugu. She highlights the program's comprehensive approach, combining health, education, and family support to nurture early childhood development in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across over 40 sites in Australia.Joining Lesley is Terese Christoff-Smith, who until recently was an assistant director for the Connected Beginnings program at the Australian Government Department of Education. From her position in Canberra, Terese gives an overview of the program's impact, focusing on the strides made in community-led initiatives and the significance of incorporating data-driven policies.This episode’s unearthed wisdom: Truly successful policies and programs will involve and draw on First Nations communities’ wisdom and strengths. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 4 of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, we shine a light on the incredible human stories behind the Regional University Study Hubs.  Hearing from the program delivery point of view, we talk to Libby Beattie, assistant director in the higher education division at the Department of Education. Libby, driven by her own experiences growing up in a regional area, passionately discusses her role in the Regional University Study Hubs project. She also talks about how the program is revolutionising education accessibility in remote areas of Australia.  Olivia Sice is currently doing a masters degree in health service management from Griffith University, which she’s pursuing at the Broken Hill hub. Olivia shares her personal journey and the sense of community she’s found in this unique educational environment. Listen in as Libby and Olivia highlight the APS Reform’s emphasis on placing people at the heart of policy and services, showcasing the direct impact of public servants on community development. Gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of higher education in Australia's remote regions, and discover the passion and dedication driving this transformative initiative. This episode’s Unearthed wisdom: Equal access to resources and community support empowers individuals from remote areas to pursue higher education and positively impact their communities.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 3 of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, we explore the journeys of Danni Woods, director of people and diversity, New Ways of Working program, and Olympia Sarris, departmental officer in the lived experience section at the Department of Health and Aged Care, who are dedicated to fostering inclusivity and promoting diversity in the public sector.Danni leverages her background in communications to advocate for those with diverse needs through the Disability and Carer's Network (DCN). In her day job, she has the unique opportunity to create workplaces with dignified access, from making corridors wide enough to fit wheelchairs to creating quiet rooms with dimmed lighting.Meanwhile, Olympia, also a member of the DCN, is motivated by her personal experiences with the healthcare system, and is keen to ensure that the voices of those with lived experiences shape mental health and suicide prevention policies.Together, Danni and Olympia discuss the DCN's significance in raising awareness and advocating for people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and carers. This episode’s Unearthed wisdom: The insights of people with lived experiences are invaluable. Listen closely to them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this second episode of the Public Sector Unearthed series, we're joined by Jayden Swain, a dedicated diversity and inclusion advisor at Austrade. Having grown up in a small town, Jayden’s journey into the diversity and inclusion space was motivated by his passion for First Nations justice and education, and inspired by his grandparents, who were pillars of his local Indigenous community. Jayden tells us about the importance of authenticity and leading by example. He also shares the guiding philosophy for his team at Austrade, which is “aim to be1 per cent better every day”. Through both minor policy adjustments and initiatives like ‘Wear it Purple Day’, Jayden's team influences not only the internal dynamics of Austrade but also resonates on a global scale, nudging the world toward greater inclusivity, one connection at a time. This episode’s Unearthed wisdom: Small actions can have a significant impact on making workplaces more inclusive. Strive to be 1 per cent better every day. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From mentoring to inclusion networks, our new Work with Purpose spin-off series, Public Sector Unearthed, showcases the stories of public servants who are achieving grassroots culture change and reform.In this teaser episode, our series hosts Megan Aponte-Payne and Brock Phyland talk with Anna Ryan, Head of Communications and Engagement at the Australian Public Service Commission, and Caroline Walsh, CEO of IPAA ACT to give you a little taster of what's to come. Caroline and Anna share their personal stories about joining the public service, some of the great bottom-up initiatives they have seen in their careers, and how leaders can support their staff to start their own.This episode's Unearthed wisdom: If you want people to drive change on the ground, create an environment of trust and psychological safety. 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 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Jeffries from the Australian Public Service Commission, Julie Hansen from the Department of Defence, and Stella Renagi from the Australian Taxation Office join us on this episode to discuss the Collaboration Circle, a new model centering First Nations experiences in the APS.Effective engagement with First Nations peoples to ensure better recruitment, retention and advancement is a priority under the Australian Public Service Reform pillar ‘The APS as a model employer’. Collaboration Circle is a recent initiative under this pillar in line with Closing the Gap Priority Reform 3, designed to ensure that the experience of First Nations public servants is understood by the senior leaders of the APS.On this episode, First Nations APS leaders Sam Jeffries, first assistant commissioner First Nations Systems Lead at the Australian Public Service Commission, Julie Hansen, Training Force WHS advisor at the Department of Defence and Stella Renagi, business strategy manager at the Australian Taxation Office, join host David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup, to talk about the how the Collaboration Circle initiative has evolved from pilot to a permanent mechanism in 2025.Key tipsTrust is the currency – it is the only thing that will help you build relationships to drive genuine change.Embrace the findings of the Collaboration Circle to support recruitment and retention of First Nations staff in your organisation. Bring it into senior leadership meetings.Recognise your privilege and bias, and that people’s lives can be very different.Show notesAPS Consultative Committee communique | Australian Public Service CommissionClosing the Gap Priority Reform 3 | Closing the GapCOO Committee communique: 25 June 2024 | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Colonel Jennifer Harris from the Australian Army gives us a masterclass in managing change in complex organisations, based on her experience with the Army’s Digital Twin.Change can be difficult – as individuals, we prefer stability and predictability. Particularly when working in large organisations, it can be both an opportunity and a great challenge to align everyone to achieve a common change goal. But the Australian Army’s ongoing Digital Twin project showcases how it can be done successfully.On this episode of Work with Purpose, Colonel Jennifer Harris explores how the Army, in response to the Defence Strategic Review, established a system that would enable the organisation to rapidly identify risks to warfighting and future capability – the Army’s Digital Twin. Together with host David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup, Jen talks about the intricacies of managing change at this scale and what theories and frameworks helped her keep people at the centre of transformation.Key tips:Working on big projects requires you to iterate all the time – it is a live activity.Whilst tools and applications are important for any transformation to succeed, you need to focus on the people who will use them. People don’t maliciously resist change – they’re just invested in the current system. Shifting mental models can take time but is worth the investment.Show notes:The case for a military Spatial Digital Twin | Australian Army Research CentreNational Defence: Defence Strategic Review 2023 | Australian Government: DefenceBerkana Two Loops model | Innovation UnitSystems change | Observatory of Public Sector Innovation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jim Betts, Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, talks about shaping his role as APS CALD Champion and why he wants leaders to take action to achieve equality.Our recent episode on CALD representation in the senior executive left many of us and our listeners humbled. Australia’s public service is diverse, yet there is still some way to go to achieve true equality for CALD employees in its senior ranks.This time, Jim Betts joins host David Pembroke, CEO of contentgroup, to talk about the Secretaries Board’s CALD compact to support inclusion and equality at the leadership level. Jim talks about his role as an advocate, encouraging other secretaries to champion the cause of CALD employees.Jim also talks about his love for creating environments where others can thrive and bring their authentic selves to work and shaking up people’s pre-conceptions of what a senior public servant looks like. Key tips:As a leader, you don’t need to speak in management jargon to succeed, if that’s not who you are. You can be your authentic self.CALD employees shouldn’t have to drive change alone – be a champion for their cause.To create a sense of belonging, support your CALD employees in telling their stories and empathise with them.Show notes:Secretaries Board communique: 9 October 2024 | Department of the Prime Minister and CabinetWhy cultural and linguistic diversity matters | Work with Purpose Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Fennessy PSM, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, shares tips for having difficult conversations and an insight into the department’s recent Growing Australia Together strategy on this episode of Work with Purpose.Where is the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry headed under its recent Growing Australia Together strategy? And what are Secretary Adam Fennessy’s priorities based on the department’s capability review?Host David Pembroke and Adam discuss how ‘Growing Australia Together’ aims to increase the value of agriculture production and expand trade markets, protect the country’s food and fibre from diseases, and make agriculture more sustainable. Adam also talks about managing avian flu outbreaks in Australia, and the government’s $100 million investment in preparedness for new variants.In this episode, also learn about Adam’s focus on enhancing the department’s digital systems, staying connected with staff spread across Australia, and getting the most out of flexible working arrangements.Lastly, hear some key tips on how to have difficult conversations – whether it’s with your staff or stakeholders.Key tips:Go out and connect with community directly to have difficult debates even if it’s hard to hear. You will get better outcomes.In difficult conversations, make it about the issue and be prepared to step into an uncomfortable space.If you’re keen to optimise your flexible working arrangements, look into what the data tells you about how your workplace functions most effectively – don’t rely on anecdotes.Show notes:Fierce Conversations | Susan ScottGrowing Australia together | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and ForestryFlexible working in the ACT Public Service | UNSW Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode, Dr Suzanne Akila, Jo Talbot, and Radi Kovacevic talk us through CALD representation in the public service, and what it will take for more culturally and linguistically diverse employees to succeed in the senior executive.Australia is a truly multicultural nation, with over 21 percent of the country's population born overseas. As this demographic has grown over the years, so has the number of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) employees in the public service. However, this isn’t broadly reflected in the senior executive level. Earlier this year, the public service launched its CALD Employment Strategy to address this gap.On this episode of Work with Purpose, host David Pembroke speaks with Dr Suzanne Akila from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Radi Kovacevic from the Department of Home Affairs about their experience as CALD leaders in the public service. Leading the implementation of the CALD Employment Strategy, Jo Talbot from the Australian Public Service Commission also joins the discussion, focusing on how to create workplaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging.Discussed in this episode:·     why cultural and linguistic diversity matters in the workplace·     championing CALD employees in the APS·     being curious about people’s stories·     the effects of othering·     key initiatives under the CALD Employment Strategy·     building cultural understanding·     removing bias from recruitment processes·     challenging what a good leader looks like·     learning critical self-reflection·     tips for aspiring CALD leaders.Show notes:·     APS Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Employment Strategy and Action Plan | Australian Government·     CALD network | Australian Public Service Commission·     MOSAIC multicultural awareness digital magazine | APS Academy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP joins us on the episode of Work with Purpose to highlight how evaluation can help create better policies and programs.On a recent episode of Work with Purpose on the art of policymaking, our experts agreed that evaluation should be baked into the development process from the get-go – but how do you make it work when the pressure is high?The Hon Dr Andrew Leigh MP, Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury, and Assistant Minister for Employment, joins presenter David Pembroke to talk about why evaluation shouldn’t be an afterthought. Assistant Minister Leigh reflects the year past since the establishment of the Australian Centre of Evaluation, and how it aims to raise the quality and quantity of evaluation across the Australian Public Service.Discussed in this episode:·     Assistant Minister Leigh’s story from growing up as the child of two aid workers to working in politics·     his role as Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury and Assistant Minister for Employment·     the role of the Australian Centre of Evaluation one year in·     lessons from medicine for randomised evaluation·     why there is a strong appetite from politicians to pursue randomised trials·     overcoming thought barriers to randomised trials·     why solely relying on observational data can be misleading, and·     building an experimenting society.Show notes:Fair game: lessons from sport for a fairer society & a stronger economy | Andrew LeighAPS builds skills for the future | Department of the Prime Minister & CabinetAustralian Centre for EvaluationEducation Endowment FoundationThe Magenta Book | UK Government Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lydia Milosavljevic from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and Zoe Scanlon from the Attorney-General’s Department give us a masterclass in executive support on this episode of Work with Purpose.What does it take to build a superstar executive support team?Hear from Lydia Milosavljevic, executive assistant to Deputy Secretary Simon Duggan at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and Zoe Scanlon, chief of staff to Katherine Jones PSM, Secretary of the Attorney-General’s Department, about how to grow collaboration, prioritise appropriately, and build trust and respect for each other.Lydia and Zoe chat with presenter David Pembroke about why it’s important that everyone on the executive support team knows each other’s worth and unique contribution, and why you shouldn’t leave developing a good relationship to chance.Discussed in this episode:·     core tasks of EAs and chiefs of staff·     how to prioritise effectively·     collaboration between EAs, EOs and COSs·     sharing information between roles and keeping each other in the loop·     respecting and valuing each other’s expertise·     recommendations for EAs and chiefs-of-staff to build a strong relationship·     how to work effectively with the executive support team, no matter where you are in an organisation·     testing ideas with each other. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If your team is grappling with an increasingly busy workload, today’s episode of Work with Purpose with Martin Hehir PSM and Kathy Hilyard will give you some useful tips on how better collaboration can become part of the solution.With a busy work program following the pandemic, Martin Hehir PSM, deputy secretary, Governance and Corporate and chief operating officer, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and his team faced this exact challenge while working at the Attorney-General’s Department. At the time, Martin had an inkling that expanding collaboration might be the key to meeting these increasing demands, whilst also maintaining a sense of happiness and resilience in the team. But how could he bring them along for this change amidst persistently high workloads?On this episode, Martin shares the story of how his team made it happen with the help of Kathy Hilyard, co-founder of the Centre for Collective Leadership. Martin and Kathy tell presenter David Pembroke about the “aha” moments and challenges, from experimenting with new ways of working across groups and professions to addressing fears around authenticity and vulnerability. Along the way, their efforts profoundly changed how leaders interacted with their teams and each other, fostering a more connected and resilient work environment.Discussed in this episode:·     how people’s workstyle changes under pressure·     creating a more collaborative culture·     opening up and being vulnerable as a leader·     learning through discomfort·     working across teams and professions·     growing relationship intelligence·     why professionals with specific expertise can often struggle to collaborate·     finding and empowering influential leaders in an organisation·     why leadership isn’t about position·     practicing how to disagree with grace·     honest, save, and respectful engagementShow notes:Strength deployment inventory | Core StrengthsDare to lead the story rumble process | Brené Brown Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A stronger emphasis on merit now will be crucial to ensure a thriving public service in the future, former APS Commissioner Andrew Podger AO tells us on this episode of Work with Purpose.APS Reform is in full swing, but what else could be added to the agenda? On this episode, we hear the perspective of former senior public servant, now commentor and researcher, Andrew Podger AO on the value of merit, where stewardship is appropriate, and what has affected capability within Australia’s public sector.In discussion with IPAA National President Andrew Metcalfe AO, Andrew Podger talks us through his views of how APS values could better highlight the public service’s commitment to the public. He also discusses his idea of bringing back tenure for secretaries with a stronger focus on merit assessments, and why the Public Service Commissioner should act as the professional head of the public service.In future discussions, we’ll also hear from others in our sector, who are grappling with this same question. Keep an eye out for future episodes which will highlight other academic and practitioner perspectives and research on some of Australia’s public sector’s most pressing challenges.Contributions to the public sector reform debate on:·     why merit should be given more weight in the public service and other statutory appointments·     a code of conduct that is a statutory requirement for ministerial staff and their relationship with the public service·     suggestions about what stewardship should mean for secretaries·     clarifying the public service’s commitment to the public·     rewards and penalties for secretaries·     the APS Commissioner as the professional head of the public service·     the role of merit in appointments for positions such as high commissioners or ambassadors·     improving the way the public services hires contractors·     rebuilding expertise in the public service·     conflict of interest and post-separation employment provisions.ShownotesDiscussion paper: Further reform of the Australian Public Service | ANU Centre for Social Research & Methods2024 IPAA ACT Conference: Ready to Rethink Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Wendy Craik AM FTSE joins us for this episode reflecting on a career of curiosity and collaboration in service of Australia’s marine environment.Dr Wendy Craik AM FTSE has had a long and distinguished career across science, not-for-profits and the public sector. What has she learned along the way, from her time as a PhD candidate in Canada researching fish to working on the first management plans for the Great Barrier Reef?Find out on this episode of Work with Purpose as David Pembroke sits down with Wendy to discuss her golden rules for effective collaboration and trust in complex environments. Drawing on her experience at the reef and her time at the National Farmers Federation, Wendy encourages everyone not to let fear get in the way of a great opportunity.Wendy also explores how social media is affecting growing cynicism and distrust in science and why everyone has a role to play in providing solid evidence to challenge misinformation.Discussed in this episode:·     Being curious about people and opportunities·     The development of the first management plans of the Great Barrier Reef·     Building collaboration and trust, even if parties have different goals·     How to be open and honest about the things you don’t know·     The root cause of distrust in science·     What everyone can do to promote evidence·     Why she is optimistic about progress·     Advice on communicating science effectively and transparently·     Why any good relationship takes time to develop.Shownotes:2024 Frances Adamson Oration | IPAA National Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.