Work with Purpose | Podcast series

Welcome to the 2022 Work with Purpose series, with the latest episode featured below. Work with Purpose explores the important role the Australian Public Service and supporting organisations are playing in the Government’s response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, and priorities for the future. The series is produced in a partnership between contentgroup and IPAA ACT, with the support of the Australian Public Service Commission.

LATEST WORK WITH PURPOSE EPISODE

EPISODE #72 | 'REVISTING AUSTRALIA'S PLACE IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC' WITH BRENDAN SARGEANT AND KATHERINE MANSTED

We are currently experiencing a reset of the strategic order and rules that have governed our region for more than 70 years. China is challenging American dominance. We’re seeing the rise of other powers such as India and Indonesia, and a more assertive Japan. This, compounded with climate change, stress on the natural systems and food sources, has created a strategic environment that Australia hasn't had to deal with before. Policy makers – in fact all Australians - need to reconsider how we operate in the region, how we contribute, how we exercise leadership and what role we will play in responding to these enormous changes.

In this special re-run of one of our most popular episodes of 2022, we feature the late Brendan Sargeant, who was the Professor of Practice in Defence and Strategic Studies and Head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the Australian National University (ANU), former Associate Secretary of Defence, and long-time supporter and Deputy President of IPAA ACT. Professor Sargeant sadly passed away shortly after the recording of this episode, leaving a legacy of invaluable contributions to ANU, the Australian Public Service, the Australian Defence Force, the wider Canberra community and the nation.

Brendan was joined by Katherine Mansted, Director of Cyber Intelligence and Public Policy at CyberCX and Senior Fellow at the ANU National Security College.

Discussed in this episode:

A rapidly changing Asia-Pacific region and its impact on Australia.
Articulating difficult conversations to develop a robust sense of defence in a complex time.
The impact of climate change on the strategic order.
The APS response.

LISTEN TO OTHER STORIES FROM 2022

	EP#71 \| An Ambitious and Enduring APS Reform Plan \| 21 November 2022 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. Listen
	EP#70 \| Rising to the Road Ahead \| 7 November 2022 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. Listen
	EP#69 \| EA as a Leader \| 31 October 2022 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 was facilitated by Holly Noble, Director of Strategic Planning and Performance at the Department of Finance. Listen
	EP#68 \| Realising the Potential of Data in Government \| 10 October 2022 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. Listen
	EP#67 \| A Great Exhaustion or A Great Inspiration? \| 26 September 2022 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 webinar on 31 August 2022 which was held in conjunction with our partner, Hays Recruitment. The webinar was hosted by Clara Fallon, Associate Regional Director, ACT at Hays. Listen
	EP#66 \| Workforce Transformation \| 29 August 2022 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. Listen
	EP#65 \| Why be a public servant? \| 15 August 2022 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. Listen
	EP#64 \| Data and Digital Strategy Intersections \| 1 August 2022 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. Listen
	EP#63 \| The Questacon Experience \| 18 July 2022 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 truly different side to working in the APS. Listen
	EP#62 \| What Makes a Great First Nations Public Servant \| 4 July 2022 This episode features Professor Tom Calma AO FFA, Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Kate Thomann, General Manager of Business Development and Employment at Aboriginal Hostels Limited, and Geoff Richardson PSM, First Nations Development Consultant. They share insights from decades of service and explore the push and pull factors for First Nations people in the APS. Listen
	EP#61 \| The Future of the APS \| 20 June 2022 We’re joined by Australian Public Service (APS) veterans, Andrew Podger AO, Professor of Public Policy at the Australian National University, and Carmel McGregor PSM, Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra. They discuss what the APS can expect from the new government, a new reform agenda and future directions for the public service. Listen
	EP#60 \| Making Meetings Work \| 6 June 2022 In this episode we’re joined by Sean Innis, Principal of Damala St Consulting, and Dr Subho Banerjee, Deputy CEO, Research and Advisory at ANZSOG. They speak with Megan Aponte-Payne, IPAA ACT Future Leaders Committee Member, on designing and conducting meetings that work for you and for your organisation. Listen
	EP#59 \| Australia's place in the Asia-Pacific \| 23 May 2022 This special episode features the late Brendan Sargeant, Professor of Practice in Defence and Strategic Studies and Head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the ANU, former Associate Secretary of Defence, and long-time supporter, Fellow, and Deputy President of IPAA ACT. He is joined by Katherine Mansted, Director of Cyber Intelligence and Public Policy at CyberCX and Senior Fellow at the ANU’s National Security College. They discuss a rapidly changing Asia-Pacific region and its impact on Australia; articulating difficult conversations to develop a robust sense of defence in a complex time; the impact of climate change on the strategic order and the APS repsonse. Listen
	EP#58 \| Working across jurisdictions \| 9 May 2022 In this episode we're joined by Kate Lynch, the First Assistant Secretary of the Environment Protection division at the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and Warrick McGrath, the Director of Biodiversity Regulatory Reform at the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning. Listen as they explore the topic of working across jurisdictions on environmental policy and regulation here.
	EP#57 \| Leading from a Distance \| 26 April 2022 Duncan Young, General Manager of the Census and Data Acquisition Division at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and Ali Jenkins, First Assistant Secretary, APS Reform Office at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, share how they are leading teams in Canberra and beyond, both remotely from Tasmania. Listen to the podcast and read the transcript here.
	Special Release \| Let's Talk Elections \| 11 April 2022 On the eve of the 2022 Election, we revisited the discussion around the role of the APS at Federal Election time. Dr Stein Helgeby, Peter Rush, Rina Bruinsma and Katrina di Marco, talk about caretaker conventions, the role of the Parliamentary Budget Office, the relationship between the APS and Ministerial offices and staying apolitical during caretaker periods. Listen to the podcast and read the transcript here.
	EP#56 \| Planning for Uncertainty \| 28 March 2022 What are the building blocks for improving performance and productivity? How do we manage and sustain not just our own performance, but the performance of the people who we lead? In this episode we are joined by two former Federal Departmental Secretaries who are now part of the team at Proximity. Glenys Beauchamp PSM is the Principal Advisor of Proximity’s health and industry practices and Kerri Hartland is a Principal Advisor and Chair of their Advisory Board. Listen here.
	A National Perspective EP#6 \| What are we doing about bullying and harassment? \| 14 March 2022 What does workplace bullying and harassment look like? And what can be done to ensure we have safe and respectful workplaces in the public sector? In this special episode of we’re joined by Adam Fennessy PSM, Victorian Public Sector Commissioner, Renée Leon PSM, Vice-Chancellor and President at Charles Sturt University Bathurst, and Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, President of IPAA National. This important discussion is led by guest host Clare Walsh, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Finance and IPAA ACT Councillor. Listen here.
	EP#55 \| Reducing Domestic Violence \| 28 February 2022 We're joined by the Co-chairs of the National Plan Advisory Group, Alison Frame, Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Liz Hefren-Webb, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Social Services. They talk about domestic violence in Australia, the 2022-2032 National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and further closing the gap on violence against women through a range of targeted women's safety agenda initiatives. Listen here.
	EP#54 \| Women in Economics \| 31 January 2022 The number of women in the field of economics in Australia is disproportionally low. How can we address this issue and encourage more women to work in this sector? And what are the consequences if we don’t? In this episode we're joined by Cherelle Murphy, Chief Economist at Austrade, and Dr Leonora Risse, Senior Lecturer in Economics at RMIT University and National Chair of the Women in Economics Network. Listen here.

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Supported by

	EP#71 \| An Ambitious and Enduring APS Reform Plan \| 21 November 2022 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. Listen
	EP#70 \| Rising to the Road Ahead \| 7 November 2022 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. Listen
	EP#69 \| EA as a Leader \| 31 October 2022 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 was facilitated by Holly Noble, Director of Strategic Planning and Performance at the Department of Finance. Listen
	EP#68 \| Realising the Potential of Data in Government \| 10 October 2022 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. Listen
	EP#67 \| A Great Exhaustion or A Great Inspiration? \| 26 September 2022 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 webinar on 31 August 2022 which was held in conjunction with our partner, Hays Recruitment. The webinar was hosted by Clara Fallon, Associate Regional Director, ACT at Hays. Listen
	EP#66 \| Workforce Transformation \| 29 August 2022 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. Listen
	EP#65 \| Why be a public servant? \| 15 August 2022 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. Listen
	EP#64 \| Data and Digital Strategy Intersections \| 1 August 2022 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. Listen
	EP#63 \| The Questacon Experience \| 18 July 2022 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 truly different side to working in the APS. Listen
	EP#62 \| What Makes a Great First Nations Public Servant \| 4 July 2022 This episode features Professor Tom Calma AO FFA, Chancellor of the University of Canberra, Kate Thomann, General Manager of Business Development and Employment at Aboriginal Hostels Limited, and Geoff Richardson PSM, First Nations Development Consultant. They share insights from decades of service and explore the push and pull factors for First Nations people in the APS. Listen
	EP#61 \| The Future of the APS \| 20 June 2022 We’re joined by Australian Public Service (APS) veterans, Andrew Podger AO, Professor of Public Policy at the Australian National University, and Carmel McGregor PSM, Adjunct Professor at the University of Canberra. They discuss what the APS can expect from the new government, a new reform agenda and future directions for the public service. Listen
	EP#60 \| Making Meetings Work \| 6 June 2022 In this episode we’re joined by Sean Innis, Principal of Damala St Consulting, and Dr Subho Banerjee, Deputy CEO, Research and Advisory at ANZSOG. They speak with Megan Aponte-Payne, IPAA ACT Future Leaders Committee Member, on designing and conducting meetings that work for you and for your organisation. Listen
	EP#59 \| Australia's place in the Asia-Pacific \| 23 May 2022 This special episode features the late Brendan Sargeant, Professor of Practice in Defence and Strategic Studies and Head of the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre at the ANU, former Associate Secretary of Defence, and long-time supporter, Fellow, and Deputy President of IPAA ACT. He is joined by Katherine Mansted, Director of Cyber Intelligence and Public Policy at CyberCX and Senior Fellow at the ANU’s National Security College. They discuss a rapidly changing Asia-Pacific region and its impact on Australia; articulating difficult conversations to develop a robust sense of defence in a complex time; the impact of climate change on the strategic order and the APS repsonse. Listen
	EP#58 \| Working across jurisdictions \| 9 May 2022 In this episode we're joined by Kate Lynch, the First Assistant Secretary of the Environment Protection division at the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment and Warrick McGrath, the Director of Biodiversity Regulatory Reform at the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning. Listen as they explore the topic of working across jurisdictions on environmental policy and regulation here.
	EP#57 \| Leading from a Distance \| 26 April 2022 Duncan Young, General Manager of the Census and Data Acquisition Division at the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and Ali Jenkins, First Assistant Secretary, APS Reform Office at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, share how they are leading teams in Canberra and beyond, both remotely from Tasmania. Listen to the podcast and read the transcript here.
	Special Release \| Let's Talk Elections \| 11 April 2022 On the eve of the 2022 Election, we revisited the discussion around the role of the APS at Federal Election time. Dr Stein Helgeby, Peter Rush, Rina Bruinsma and Katrina di Marco, talk about caretaker conventions, the role of the Parliamentary Budget Office, the relationship between the APS and Ministerial offices and staying apolitical during caretaker periods. Listen to the podcast and read the transcript here.
	EP#56 \| Planning for Uncertainty \| 28 March 2022 What are the building blocks for improving performance and productivity? How do we manage and sustain not just our own performance, but the performance of the people who we lead? In this episode we are joined by two former Federal Departmental Secretaries who are now part of the team at Proximity. Glenys Beauchamp PSM is the Principal Advisor of Proximity’s health and industry practices and Kerri Hartland is a Principal Advisor and Chair of their Advisory Board. Listen here.
	A National Perspective EP#6 \| What are we doing about bullying and harassment? \| 14 March 2022 What does workplace bullying and harassment look like? And what can be done to ensure we have safe and respectful workplaces in the public sector? In this special episode of we’re joined by Adam Fennessy PSM, Victorian Public Sector Commissioner, Renée Leon PSM, Vice-Chancellor and President at Charles Sturt University Bathurst, and Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, President of IPAA National. This important discussion is led by guest host Clare Walsh, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Finance and IPAA ACT Councillor. Listen here.
	EP#55 \| Reducing Domestic Violence \| 28 February 2022 We're joined by the Co-chairs of the National Plan Advisory Group, Alison Frame, Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Liz Hefren-Webb, Deputy Secretary at the Department of Social Services. They talk about domestic violence in Australia, the 2022-2032 National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children, and further closing the gap on violence against women through a range of targeted women's safety agenda initiatives. Listen here.
	EP#54 \| Women in Economics \| 31 January 2022 The number of women in the field of economics in Australia is disproportionally low. How can we address this issue and encourage more women to work in this sector? And what are the consequences if we don’t? In this episode we're joined by Cherelle Murphy, Chief Economist at Austrade, and Dr Leonora Risse, Senior Lecturer in Economics at RMIT University and National Chair of the Women in Economics Network. Listen here.