Vic Department of Health and Human Services | Departments/Agencies

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Interviews

The ceaseless work of independent Indigenous commissioners for Aboriginal youth justice reform in Australia

By Chris Woods

Australian Capital Territory

Every Australian jurisdiction has run inquiries into Indigenous youth justice, but they vary wildly on follow-through. June Oscar and Justin Mohamed discuss where we are…

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Case studies

Tackling entrenched disadvantage: the four innovative approaches Victoria is trying, from social procurement to place-based services

By David Donaldson

Community & Social

A push for social procurement, better data linkage for users of multiple services, improving place-based service capability, and working more closely with public housing tenants:…

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Insights and analysis

Good money after bad: six reasons why governments ignore evidence of service failure — and how to do better

By David Donaldson

Features

There are some pretty fundamental reasons why governments continue spending money on poorly performing programs, explains DJPR deputy secretary David Clements. But he also has…

Public sector unions lob ‘wage theft’ allegations at Vic government, ABC

By Shannon Jenkins

Health

Up to 2000 employees in the Victorian Department of Justice and Department of Health and Human Services could be owed up to $300,000 in superannuation…

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Case studies

How Victoria’s award-winning prescription monitoring system SafeScript is fighting overdose — and won over the AMA

By David Donaldson

Case studies

Each year, more Victorians die from prescription medications than road accidents or illicit drugs. And yet until recently, there was no reliable way for doctors…

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Interviews

Practice saying no and stop under-rating implementation, says Fran Thorn. Then, learn how to convince everyone your idea is not entirely stupid

By David Donaldson

Features

The processes of making decisions might seem perfectly sane and sensible when you’re inside government, but when you’re outside government on the receiving end of…

Fact check: are Victoria’s DHHS staff being transferred to federal agencies?

By Shannon Jenkins

News

Victoria's DHHS held an all-staff forum last week to update employees on the ongoing changes occurring as part of the NDIS. Employees already working in…

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Case studies

Reentry to work is a challenge, but sponsors and preparation make it easier. How Victorian public servants are returning after parental leave

By Shannon Jenkins

Case studies

No organisation wants to lose talent because it couldn't provide the support and encouragement to foster successful re-entry after parental leave. The Victorian Public Sector…

Victoria targets climate change in new health plan; WA promotes better health for its LGBTQI community

By Shannon Jenkins

Energy & Environment

The Victorian government has prioritised tackling climate change in its new public health and wellbeing plan, while Western Australia has promoted LGBTQI health.

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Interviews

Steve Hodgkinson is banning 'stupid digital stuff'. Relentless incrementalism, empowered staff and reusable platforms allow for cheap, fast 'micro services' that users love

By David Donaldson

Communications & Technology

Steve Hodgkinson has been chief information officer at Victoria's Department of Health and Human Services since late 2014. He has spent plenty of time thinking…

Vic opposition tries to put the public service on trial over government advertising

By Stephen Easton

Federal

The Victorian opposition wants four department heads, including the head of the public service, investigated by the state corruption watchdog over their roles in authorising…

'I regularly work 80 hours a week': child protection's unreasonable workloads

By David Donaldson

News

Stressed and overworked child protection staff are at risk of making poor decisions and are costing the department in WorkCover claims, says the Victorian Auditor…

Ethics in policy: facing trade-offs to help citizens live a life they value

By Kym Peake

Features

A clear idea of governmental purpose helps policy makers overcome the inevitable trade-offs and quandaries they face, argues DHHS boss Kym Peake. Victoria's approach to…

Flex talk, more than action

By David Donaldson

Features

Agencies have the language around flexible work down pat, but many aren't walking the talk. A recent panel looked at how individuals are making flex…

DHHS public housing debt management 'unconscionable': ombudsman

By David Donaldson

News

Disadvantaged Victorians are being charged thousands of dollars to repair damaged public housing, even when there is no evidence they caused the damage. "It’s time…