Last week, Australia commemorated Reconciliation Week. It was a chance to celebrate progress, but also to consider the inequalities First Nations people still face in Australia. Across health, education, justice and employment, the country still has some way to go to truly close the gap.On this episode of Work with Purpose, Brendan Moyle, executive branch manager of the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs at the ACT Government tells us a powerful story about First Nations reconciliation, reflecting deeply on the persisting gap between conversations and behaviour, and how everyone in Australia can learn to walk the talk. Together with host David Pembroke, Brendan also talks us through the important role of valuing First Nations people, their contributions and their stories, and shares his tips on how to become a true ally to their cause.Discussed in this episode:The persistent inequalities First Nations people still faceAustralia’s progress towards reconciliationThe importance of getting to know First Nations people’s storiesWhy we need diversity of thinkingHow to become an allyThe key role of First Nations public servants in building bridgesShow notes:Closing the Gap Annual Data ReportCommonwealth Closing the Gap Implementation PlanReconciliation Australia resources Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used by public services globally, including in Australia, to improve policy-making and program creation. AI has immense potential to transform how the public sector functions and serves communities, from streamlining copywriting to providing strategic advice. However, there are risks and limitations associated with using AI, such as privacy breaches, accountability issues, and bias concerns.In this episode of Work with Purpose, Caroline Walsh, CEO of the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) ACT hosts a conversation which explores the potential and challenges of using generative AI in the Australian public sector. Sally Bayley-Nelson, manager of the AusIndustry Insights team, and Anthony Murfett, head of division for Technology and Digital at the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, share their experiences using generative AI tools for their work and discuss the benefits and limitations of the technology. They also talk about the risks that the public sector needs to be mindful of when working with AI and the importance of putting guardrails in place to regulate its use.Discussed in this episode:Use of generative AI: benefits and limitations in the workplaceRisks in using generative AI in the public sector and regulatory guardrailsHow AI suggests regulating itself: thoughts and missing pointsBest practices and hopes for AI in the public sector's future.Show notes:https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reliable data is critical for public policy and program development, but many public sector staff still need to build their digital capability and literacy. Currently, the APS Reform Office is reviewing the digital skills of public servants and ways to enhance their skill sets.To contribute to this important conversation, the Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) ACT is hosting the Australian Government Data Forum on May 17. This event will bring together experts from public and private sectors to discuss how data can inform policy and program delivery. The forum is organised in partnership with the Graduate Data Network, the Office of the National Data Commissioner, and the APS Data Profession, which comprises over 1,000 members from 40 agencies.In this episode, we are joined by two members from the Graduate Data Network – Moira McLoughlin, Graduate at the Department of the Senate, and Samuel McMurray, Data Analyst at the Australian Taxation Office. Together, they share valuable insights into the world of data science and its significance in shaping policy and government programs within the Australian public service. They also discuss tools for staying on top of developments in data technology, such as natural language processing, and the importance of collaboration and continuous learning in the field of data.Discussed in this episode:Reasons for joining Graduate Data Network and appeal of working with dataHow data is helping to deliver better policy in the field of family, domestic, and sexual violenceThe significance of artificial intelligence for the future of government programsWhy you should attend the Australian Government Data Forum.Show notes:https://www.act.ipaa.org.au/events/2023/australian-government-data-forum-2023https://www.act.ipaa.org.au/events/2023/aps-data-awards-dinner-2023https://www.ibm.com/topics/natural-language-processing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia's public service is based on the principle of providing frank and fearless advice, where advice given is expected to be honest and politically neutral to ensure public trust. However, despite the release of official policy advice, governments are sometimes accused of ignoring or rejecting their experts, raising questions about the efficacy of the advice itself.On this episode of Work with Purpose, we discuss with ANU academic Dr Christiane Gerblinger about her recently released book ‘How government experts self-sabotage: the language of the rebuffed’. Along with host David Pembroke, Dr Gerblinger discusses the reasons behind the government's tendency to ignore or reject policy advice, including experts' reluctance to disclose information to accommodate political circumstances, and suggests ways to improve the structure and presentation of official advice for it to be taken up.Discussed in this episode:Why expert policy advice is often overlooked by the government in Australia.Analysis of specific cases where policy advice was ignored or rejected.Suggestions for improving the structure and presentation of official advice.How experts can better convince their audience to consider their advice in decision-making.Shownotes:How government experts self-sabotage: the language of the rebuffed Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 serviceThe role of impartiality and objectivity in giving policy adviceBest practice behaviour and delivery to further embed integrity cultureWhat a modern and responsive public service should look likeShownotes:Royal Commission into the Robodebt SchemeThe Guardian | RobodebtIndependent Review of the APS | Public service value statementAPS Reform Office | Have your say Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.