EP#81: Rebuilding trust and integrity after robodebt
The Robodebt Royal Commission has shone a light on the tremendous impact government policy gone wrong can have on the lives of Australians. The evidence given at the royal commission hearings has also brought into question the state of ‘frank and fearless advice’ in the service.
On this episode of Work with Purpose, together with two public service leaders – Kathy Leigh, Head of Service and Director-General of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate, ACT Government and Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM FIPAA, Secretary for Public Sector Reform – we examine the impact of robodebt, discuss 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
Guests
Kathy Leigh
Kathy Leigh is the Director-General of the ACT Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate and Head of the ACT Public Service. She provides high level strategic advice to the ACT Chief Minister and Cabinet and chairs the Strategic Board of Directors-General. Before taking up her position as ACT Head of Service, Ms Leigh was Director-General of the ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate from October 2009. In this role she advised the ACT Attorney-General on a wide range of issues including legal policy, court reform, human rights, corrections, regulatory services and emergency management.
Gordon de Brouwer PSM FIPAA
Gordon de Brouwer is Secretary for Public Sector Reform, a two-year position appointed by the Prime Minister to lead and implement public sector reform, working closely with the Public Service Commissioner and reporting to the Minister for the Public Service. Before starting his appointment on 1 July 2022, Gordon was Professor of Economics, jointly appointed to the Crawford School of Public Policy and College of Business and Economics. He is committed to public value, high-quality policy and implementation, and effective government. Gordon was also previously President of IPAA National as well as IPAA ACT.