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

Matt Yannopoulos PSM, Associate Secretary of the Department of Defence, maps out a unified approach for the public service to defend Australia’s interests.In a world with increasing geopolitical tension, collaboration across the public service remains key to protecting Australia’s security and prosperity. On this episode, David Pembroke sits down with Matt Yannopoulos PSM, Associate Secretary of Defence, to explore what it takes to do this well.They delve into the importance of a whole-of-government approach, emphasising the need for speed, focus, and coordination across various government agencies to enhance national security and preparedness.Matt also shares his perspectives on the current geopolitical landscape, the transformation within the Department of Defence, and the strategic initiatives aimed at accelerating defence capabilities.Discussed in this episode:·     a cross-agency approach to defence·     strategic priorities in the 2024 National Defence Strategy·     challenges and opportunities in defence transformation·     the role of the public service in national security and economic prosperity·     strategies for effective collaboration and innovation in the Department of Defence. Shownotes2024 National Defence Strategy

In celebration of NAIDOC Week, Corey Tutt OAM from DeadlyScience and artist Ben Williams share the spirit of pride in their heritage and work. They invite you to listen closely to create true connections with First Nations peoples. How can all Australians join in celebrating First Nations peoples’ contributions? And what will it take for the public sector to become a genuine partner for Indigenous-led organisations?On this Work with Purpose episode in celebration of NAIDOC Week, Corey Tutt OAM and Ben Williams share their journey of connection and partnership that culminated in their new book ‘Caution! This Book Contains Deadly Reptiles’. Connecting with this year’s theme ‘Blak, Loud and Proud’, Ben and Corey speak from the heart about how pride in heritage and family can be a way to reclaim what First Nations peoples have lost through colonisation.In conversation with guest presenter Kate Driver, CEO of IPAA ACT, Corey and Ben encourage public sector professionals to become true allies, leave aside any bias and celebrate the important contributions First Nations peoples make to Australia every day.Discussed in this episode:·     how the public sector can effectively connect with indigenous-led organisations·     the story behind Corey and Ben’s new book·     the importance of good relationships in creating great work·     vulnerability and safety when creating art·     pride in heritage as a way to defy the impact of colonisation·     ways to self-determination·     removing stigma, status and bias·     how to become a better ally to First Nations peoples.During NAIDOC Week, First Nations peoples are often asked to contribute and volunteer their time to educate others about their culture and knowledge. contentgroup and IPAA ACT want to ensure that we recognise the cultural load that Ben and Corey have generously taken on for this episode by financially recognising their expertise. We encourage you to show your support for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers at your events in the same way. If you would like to support either Corey or Ben, consider purchasing their book, one of Ben’s artworks, or making a donation to DeadlyScience.

Dr Amaly Khalaf and Dr Steven Munns from the Australian Public Service Commission explore psychological safety in public sector workplaces – from the desk to the frontlines.Creating workplaces which are both mentally and physically safe is a mission close to Dr Amaly Khalaf’s and Dr Steven Munn’s hearts. On this episode of Work with Purpose, they talk us through how the public sector is working towards this – from exemplary and trustful leadership to processes grounded in evidence.Amaly, principal psychologist and lead of the APS Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Unit, shines a light on the new ADDRESS program, designed to support public sector agencies and staff in building mentally healthy workplaces. Steven, assistant commissioner, Diversity & Inclusion Branch, then connects this to how psychosocial hazards play out at the frontlines – for example at Centrelink or veteran’s services – and what can be done to support staff exposed to aggressive or abusive behaviour.Discussed in this episode:·     the difference between psychosocial and psychological safety·     types of psychosocial hazards·     the ADDRESS program·     service-user violence and aggression·     reporting psychosocial hazards·     embedding honest reporting processes.If you feel distressed during the episode, there is support available to you. Please call Lifeline’s 24/7 support line on 13 11 14 if you need someone to talk to.

Secretary of the Department of Health and Aged Care Blair Comley PSM tells the story of his public service career, and highlights how devolving leadership in the public sector can reduce risk, increase work quality and staff satisfaction.Blair Comley PSM looks back at an outstanding career across the public and private sectors, from designing the GST to driving the Department of Health and Aged Care’s recent capability review.On this episode of Work with Purpose, he revisits some of the milestones of his career and how they have shaped his approach to devolution – where mid-level staff in the public sector are empowered to make decisions and build closer relationships important stakeholders. He discusses the three key ingredients to make it happen at your organisation: skills, culture, and capability.In conversation with podcast host David Pembroke, Blair also explores uplifting policy capability at the Department of Health and Aged Care, communicating with success, and what role consultants can play in public sector work.Discussed in this episode:·     Devolution and its benefits for the public sector·     The Department of Health and Aged Care’s capability review·     Uplifting policy-making capability·     Key writing and communications skills for policymakers·     Lessons from consulting work·     The role of consulting in the public service·     The importance of optimism for driving innovation.ShownotesCapability review | Department of Health and Aged CareDaniel Goleman | Emotional intelligence

As the UN Climate Change Conference wraps up in Bonn, our Work with Purpose guests Dr Mara Hammerle and Andrew Hudson discuss the link between climate change and wellbeing and share some innovative ideas for greening government procurement.Climate change remains one of the world’s most complex and systemic challenges. With a profound effect on human wellbeing, experts across the world are looking for ways to reduce its impact and embed better policy solutions.On this episode of Work with Purpose, Dr Mara Hammerle and Andrew Hudson from the Centre for Policy Development talk about embedding wellbeing in decision-making, understanding communities’ adaptive capacity when it comes to a shift away from fossil fuels, and why locally-led approaches are key to creating responses that work.Together with host David Pembroke, they also discuss the opportunities in greening government procurement to reach Australia’s emissions reduction goals.Discussed in this episode:·     Embedding wellbeing metrics organisations and policies·     The importance of locally-led approaches·     Adaptive capacity and what it means for communities·     The role of the Net Zero Economy Agency·     Decarbonisation procurement rules and incentives·     Balancing up-front and life-cycle costs·     Shifting to long-term thinking over short-term solutions·     Andrew’s recipe for unreasonable optimism.ShownotesMeasuring what matters | The TreasuryWellbeing government initiative | Centre for Policy DevelopmentGreening government report | Centre for Policy Development2024 Purpose of government pulse | Centre for Policy Development2023 intergenerational report | The TreasuryEarly intervention investment framework | Victoria State Government

On today’s Work with Purpose episode, Director General of IP Australia, Michael Schwager tells IP Australia’s innovation success story, and how the broader public sector can follow in its steps. Did you know that 57 per cent of IP Australia's staff rate their culture as positively supporting innovation, 18 per cent higher than the APS average? Today, we hear from with Michael Schwager, Director General of IP Australia, about pioneering innovation in the public sector in conversation with host David Pembroke. Michael shares how IP Australia balances risk and innovation to create a culture where new ideas thrive, and failures are learning opportunities. He also offers practical advice and examples from his experiences on how public sector bodies and individuals can drive forward-thinking initiatives.Show notes:·      TM checker tool | An example of innovation·      Observatory of Public Sector Innovation | OECD·      Behaviourial economics | Innovative practice·      ATO Cyber Program | Innovation in digital solutions | OECD

On today’s Work with Purpose episode, Dr Nina Terry, Bec Bodel and Professor Brenton Prosser help you learn the ropes of human-centred design.In today's complex world, how can the public sector effectively ensure that its policies and programs are centred on the needs of the people they serve? This episode explores human-centered design as one piece to solving this puzzle.Host David Pembroke convenes class with three leading experts in the design space: Bec Bodel from the Australian Taxation Office, Brenton Prosser from UNSW Canberra, and Dr Nina Terrey from ThinkPlace. Together, they walk through the most important parts of the design process and discuss how empathy, creativity, and strategic thinking can truly make a difference to policy and service delivery for Australia’s communities. Our guests also share practical tips and resources for you to hit the books and start your own design journey.Show Notes: How to empathy map | Nielsen Norman GroupExpand: Stretching the Future By Design | Book by Christian Bason and Jens Martin SkibstedCommunity-led project | Just ReinvestPolicy-making through design | The Policy LabIntro to human-centred design | Government of VictoriaInternational Design in Government CommunityDon't Make Me Think | Book by Steve KrugHuman-centred design program | An outline of National Standards for Out‐of‐home CareGovernment centred design, future-led | NESTA

Today, we celebrate 100 episodes of Work with Purpose with a special conversation between two passionate public servants: Dr Gordon de Brouwer, Australian Public Service Commissioner and Thanuri Welaratne, education programs officer at Questacon. Together, they explore Gordon’s extensive career journey, covering the APS reform agenda and his report on bullying and harassment.Gordon highlights the critical role public servants play in maintaining democratic governance and upholding the principles of transparency, accountability and service to the community. Along with Thanuri, Gordon also discusses how public servants can navigate work-life balance, and what flexibility means post-pandemic.Framing the conversation, host David Pembroke looks back on Work with Purpose’s 100-episode journey – from its first episode covering the public service’s COVID-19 response to today’s conversation about reform, stewardship, and purpose.

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.