Institute of Public Administration Australia (ACT) Limited

Last year, the Robodebt Royal Commission highlighted the tremendous impact government policy gone wrong can have on the lives of Australians. The evidence given at the royal commission hearings also brought into question the state of ‘frank and fearless advice’ in the service.

In the first rerun of our best episodes in 2023, we revisit our conversation with two public service leaders: Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM FIPAA, Australian Public Service Commissioner, and Kathy Leigh, Head of Service and Director-General of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, ACT Government. We examined the impact of robodebt, and discussed how the public service might reinforce its values around integrity, and rebuild courage and pride in its work.

Discussed in this episode:

• The importance of empathy and compassion for those affected, the public, and the public service
• The role of impartiality and objectivity in giving policy advice
• Best practice behaviour and delivery to further embed integrity culture
• What a modern and responsive public service should look like.

SHOWNOTES

• Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme
• The Guardian | Robodebt
• Independent Review of the APS | Public service value statement
• APS Reform Office | Have your say

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