In times of peril, citizens typically turn to their leaders and governing institutions for support. The 2019–20 bushfires and the coronavirus pandemic have seen more Australians relying on governments for assistance and action to ensure their core human needs, such as safety and security, continue to be met. A new survey conducted by PwC Australia […]
Recently, the ADC Forum and Australian National University’s Public Policy and Societal Impact Hub came together to host a roundtable of business, government and academic experts as part of a broader series on Australia’s future. Sean Innis and Matthew Faubel explain what was learned.
Decision-making with too much information can be an experience akin to drinking from a firehose. Provide decision makers with the right data at the right time, says Julian Hebden.
Change is a constant in public sector work, so ensure you understand how it affects your field, be upfront about risk, and don't ignore the small opportunities. Former secretary Greg Wilson's career tips for adaptation.
What is the appropriate level of the use of consultants in the public service? Has it gone too far? Are consultants doing too much core/routine work or are they providing a vital service?
World War II and 9/11 led to permanent social shifts. The coronavirus will too, says the man who led Victoria through Black Saturday.
It's not enough to keep having "the same old conversations", argues new Victorian EPA Chair Kate Auty. For her, improving diversity and community engagement has meant talking to sports fans about climate change, convincing local communities about Aboriginal sentencing courts, and boosting the readership of environmental reports.
Would you accept that there is no such thing as a perfect public policy — or, if not, would you agree with the contention that the perfect can sometimes be the enemy of the good?
Know your customer, have a clear idea of what 'good service' means, and engage meaningfully. Department of Customer Service Deputy Secretary William Murphy discusses what NSW is doing to improve services for citizens.
Regulators need to be independent, but what does this mean in practice? Peter Shergold and Graeme Samuel recently offered their thoughts to the ANZSOG regulators' community of practice.
Public engagement is a great way to access expertise held by the community, but is often frustrating for participants — especially those from diverse communities. Consider whether you're really empowering people, says Maria Katsonis.
For as long as we continue to characterise what we’re trying to achieve with a name as amorphous as an ‘innovation agenda’, it’s hard to imagine it rising above anything more than being an add-on to business-as-usual.
In this second installment of his three-part series, economist and forward thinker Nicholas Gruen explains more of why it is so important to understand the ‘how’ of getting things done. From the commanding heights to everyday routines The big public sector careers are built in the land of ‘what’ – that is in designing and […]
Government leaders understanding what they need to do when faced with impending issues is one thing. But here, in the first of a three-part series, Nicholas Gruen gets into the nitty gritty of coming to terms with the 'how' of what needs to be done.
Which management type are you: the robot? The superhuman? Consultant Mark LeBusque on the importance of really knowing your colleagues — and yourself.
