EP#136: ‘Of(f) Course Minister’ with Sean Innis
On this episode of Work with Purpose, Sean Innis, author of ‘Of(f) Course Minister’, talks about the principle of responsible government – how it has evolved, drifted and, at times, been corrupted.
As the dust settles from the 2025 Australian Federal Election, we take a deep dive into the ins and outs of the relationships between public servants, ministers, and parliament. These relationships may be complex, but at their core, they should be rooted in the principle of responsible government. But what does that actually mean?
This time, guest host Kate Driver, CEO of IPAA ACT, talks with Sean Innis about the shifts and changes of public administration and Australia’s parliamentary system based on his new book ‘Of(f) Course Minister’. They discuss how transparency, accountability, and responsible government continue to underpin the work of public servants but also face their fair share of challenges. This includes how the two major parties interpret the public service’s role, the balance between personal and institutional relationships, and the tension between short-term fixes and long-term solutions.
Key tips
- To build rapport with a minister, watch others and learn from one another
- If you work with ministers, listen closely to see if there is more opportunity to slow things down and focus on more long-term and deep thinking over quick fixes
- Prioritise continuity of the public service and how it builds relationships with stakeholders and customers, and drives knowledge and understanding.
Guest
Sean Innis
Sean Innis’ mantra is ‘deeper thinking for a better world’. He is an honorary fellow at the Australian National University and an adjunct fellow at the University of New South Wales. He is a senior fellow at the think tank ADC Forum and an associate at Queritas – a firm of consulting philosophers. Sean is an expert columnist for The Mandarin.
He was inaugural director of the Public Policy Hub at ANU and was special adviser to the Productivity Commission. Before this, Sean was a senior executive in the Australian Public Service. He has also been an ordinary university tutor and a rather terrible bank teller.
In his book – Of(f) Course, Minister – Sean warns of an awkward truth emerging deep inside government. Rather than supporting responsible government, the relationship between ministers, public servants and the parliament is undermining it. Sean explains why this is, what it means, and what can be done about it.