Work with Purpose: A podcast about the Australian Public Sector

On this episode, Dr Suzanne Akila, Jo Talbot, and Radi Kovacevic talk us through CALD representation in the public service, and what it will take for more culturally and linguistically diverse employees to succeed in the senior executive.

Australia is a truly multicultural nation, with over 21 percent of the country's population born overseas. As this demographic has grown over the years, so has the number of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) employees in the public service. However, this isn’t broadly reflected in the senior executive level. Earlier this year, the public service launched its CALD Employment Strategy to address this gap.

On this episode of Work with Purpose, host David Pembroke speaks with Dr Suzanne Akila from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Radi Kovacevic from the Department of Home Affairs about their experience as CALD leaders in the public service. Leading the implementation of the CALD Employment Strategy, Jo Talbot from the Australian Public Service Commission also joins the discussion, focusing on how to create workplaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Discussed in this episode:

· why cultural and linguistic diversity matters in the workplace

· championing CALD employees in the APS

· being curious about people’s stories

· the effects of othering

· key initiatives under the CALD Employment Strategy

· building cultural understanding

· removing bias from recruitment processes

· challenging what a good leader looks like

· learning critical self-reflection

· tips for aspiring CALD leaders.

Show notes:

· APS Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Employment Strategy and Action Plan | Australian Government

· CALD network | Australian Public Service Commission

· MOSAIC multicultural awareness digital magazine | APS Academy

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Whilst the ‘whole-of-nation’ approach is not new on the global stage, it is still a relatively new concept in Australian international policy circles. Amidst global challenges that demand more than just government action, it is also becoming increasingly vital. Unlike the familiar whole-of-government strategy, the ‘whole-of-nation’ approach includes a broader coalition, encompassing public sector agencies and actors from science, sports, arts, industry, civil society and more. But what are the nuances of this approach, and what potential does it hold for Australia on the global stage?

In this episode, host David Pembroke welcomes Melissa Conley Tyler, executive director of the Asia-Pacific Development Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) and honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne. The discussion hones in on a comprehensive report published by AP4D in February, which involved consultations with 113 individuals from 93 organisations on the whole-of-nation approach. Throughout the episode, Melissa sheds light on the perceived benefits, potential barriers, and the critical balance between commercial and national interests. Tune in to discover how this approach applies to various areas, from major sporting events to climate change initiatives.

Show notes:

A whole-of-nation approach to international policy | Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue

The whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace | National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict

A whole-of-nation approach | Executive Order No. 70, President of Philippines

Public service to go from ‘whole-of-government' to ‘whole-of-nation' | The Straits Times, Singapore

A Whole of Nation Approach | Singapore Government

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Despite greater flexibility and more opportunities, gender equity still has some way to go. The country’s gender pay gap persists, and women are still underrepresented in leadership positions according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency. One of the ways workplaces and women themselves are trying to turn the tide, is to offer and actively engage in mentoring.

In our final rerun of the most popular episodes of 2023, we revisit a conversation that aired around International Women’s Day. It featured two inspirational female leaders: Tania Rishniw, Deputy Secretary of Employment and Workforce at the Department Employment and Workplace Relations, and Nina Davidson, Deputy Director-General Intelligence at the Office of National Intelligence. They discussed how mentoring can benefit women throughout their careers and what a great mentoring relationship should look like. Tania, Nina, and Caroline also talked about some of the women who inspired them, including the influential Dr Margot McCarthy, who championed women through coaching and mentoring until her recent passing in 2022. Margot was the first female national security advisor, a leader in social policy and a founder of the APS Academy.

Discussed in this episode:

• Honesty, openness, and listening as key ingredients for good mentoring
• Margot McCarthy’s fierce leadership and support for other women
• Overcoming self-censorship as a woman
• Empowering and amplifying women’s voices.

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Trigger warning: This podcast discusses topics related to war and warfare, which some listeners might find distressing. If you need someone to speak with, do not hesitate to contact Beyond Blue’s 24-hour support via 1300 22 4636.

As AI continues to evolve, its application in defence raises critical ethical questions. Ensuring the responsible integration of AI technologies within the Australian Defence Force (ADF) demands strict adherence to ethical standards. How then, can policy makers and public administrators ensure that the deployment of these technologies aligns with strategic objectives, ethical standards of the ADF and international law? Further, what are the potential impacts of AI on decision-making processes and the dynamics of warfare?

In this first new Work with Purpose episode in 2024, host David Pembroke is joined by two leading Australian experts in AI ethics and military applications. Professor Toni Erskine from the ANU Coral Bell School explores the moral agency of AI-enabled military tools and what they mean for future use-of-force decisions. Adjunct Professor Kate Conroy from the Centre for Robotics, School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics at Queensland University of Technology, examines the ethical challenges of AI deployment in military and civilian contexts. The conversation covers the complex environment of AI in defence, shedding a light on autonomy in weapon systems, and emphasising the importance of balancing technological progress with ethical responsibility in defence. Kate Conroy speaks in her personal capacity and views are her own.

Show notes:

• A method for ethical AI in Defence | Defence Science & Technology Group
• Australia’s System of Control and applications for Autonomous Weapons Systems | Australian Government
• Bad, mad and cooked: Moral responsibility for civilian harm in human-AI military teams | Dr Kate Conroy née Devitt
• How might AI affect the trustworthiness of public service delivery | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Ethical use of AI in the workplace - AI WHS Scorecard | NSW Government
• Systems of Control | UNODA
• AI, automated systems, and future use-of-force decision making: Anticipating effects | Professor Toni Erskine
• Anticipating the Future of War: AI, Automated Systems, and Resort-to-Force Decision Making

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The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is 'Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.' In Australia, progress toward gender equality is ongoing, yet significant challenges remain, particularly in financial security and workforce participation. Additionally, systemic issues like the undervaluation of care and the prevalence of part-time work disproportionately affect women's financial security. So how can Australia’s governments, businesses and communities work together to tackle these persistent challenges?

In this Work with Purpose extra episode Cath Ingram, IPAA ACT board member, speaks with Cherelle Murphy, EY Oceania chief economist, and Padma Raman, executive director of the Office for Women at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, about the state of gender equality in Australia. They discuss how to improve financial inclusion for women, and examine how gender-sensitive budgeting can pave the way for more equitable policies.

Discussed in this episode:

• Empowering women through financial literacy
• The importance of data sharing to improve women’s financial inclusion
• Creating workplaces free of sexual harassment and sexual discrimination
• The role of the Women in Economics Network in supporting women in their careers
• Recognising intersectional challenges faced by women.

Show notes:

• Media release: National gender pay gap of 13.3% just a fraction of the real cost on women | Workplace Gender Equality Agency
• Gender equality and intersecting forms of diversity | Workplace Gender Equality Agency
• International Women’s Day | UN Women

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