www.sa.ipaa.org.au

Under the banner “Bringing it together: When and How to Share Responsibility for Meeting the Big Challenges” the 2010 IPAA National Conference will be coming to Adelaide this October.

The three dominant themes of the conference are designed to focus on the interaction and integration of government departments, especially in the face of changing demographics, technologies, communication channels, economies and environmental concerns. The growing list of pre-eminent speakers will seek to address concerns in the way we manage our partnerships and networks, third-party service delivery, consultation methods and community involvement and responsibility. The program is also designed to help delegates understand where we are now, how the public sector of the future will look and what needs to be done to arrive at the most effective and productive outcomes?

While the key sub-themes of Responsibilities; Inter-governmental Frameworks; and Service Delivery, are not new topics to IPAA members, the National Conference will offer guests an array of pioneering insights into how the public service will manage these issues in a rapidly changing global background.

Under the subject of Responsibilities, presenters and delegates will analyse

the balance between public and private responsibilities - those of individual versus those of the community as a whole - and where does government’s role lie in this setting? What part should effective government play in explaining and promoting private responsibilities, especially through public awareness campaigns, policy consultations and advertising?

The second sub-theme, Inter-Governmental Frameworks will challenge the existing three-tiered structure of government in Australia, especially in the context of cooperation and communication.

Invited speakers will analyse the new skills needed to increase inter-governmental cooperation and raise the potential for a review of the values that span all levels of government. In conjunction with this shift, new career paths and opportunities will either emerge or be thwarted, and the conference will seek to help address this potential.

The use of technology in the context of inter-governmental structures will also be explored, raising the questions of who will be responsible and who will actually provide the service?

That final question provides the natural link to the third sub-theme of Service delivery and what the changing community needs from its government. This topic will examine the relationship between the community, business and the public sector in providing the best services, infrastructure and social amenities.

The conference will explore these themes in concurrent sessions, with case examples and analytical papers to support informed discussion amongst participants.

Presenters will range from academics and practitioners, bringing their experience in government, the community and business sectors to the forum.

The National Conference is not only a key opportunity to peek into the future of public administration, but also be part of shaping its course and meeting others from across the country to discuss common ideas and aspirations.

Focal Point IPAA’s Member NewsletterAutumn Edition

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Earlybird OfferRegister and pay before June 30, 2010 and save $100*

*saving off standard Members price.

More info and registrations atwww.ipaanationalconference.org.au

An Hour in the Room with Lachlan Bruce.• Women in Leadership Series Part 1: • Equality in the Workplace.Ethical Behaviour in the Public Sector.• On the Couch with Leaders from our • Fringe Agencies.An Hour in the Room with Sandy Pitcher• Women in Leadership Series Part 2: • Women in Senior ManagementAn Hour in the Room with Anne Hywood.•

Upcoming Forum Checklist:

www.sa.ipaa.org.au

IPAA joins forces with The Smith FamilyThroughout 2010, in lieu of speaker gifts, IPAA will be me making donations to The Smith Family.

The Smith Family is a national, independent children’s charity committed to helping disadvantaged Australian children and their families by unlocking opportunities through education and learning.

Research shows that supporting a child’s education and learning is one of the best ways to help them break the cycle of disadvantage and build a secure and better future.

This year The Smith Family is supporting more than 30,000 young people in 95 communities across Australia through its Learning for Life suite of education and learning programs. These programs provide financially disadvantaged students with access to mentoring, tutoring and personal support to assist with the development of essential life skills, such as reading, numeracy, financial and digital literacy.

In addition, sponsored students receive financial assistance for school expenses such as uniforms, books and excursions. This education support is designed to give children and young people the step up they need to achieve their goals as adults and ultimately, to break the cycle of disadvantage.

In South Australia, more than 3,000 students are being supported in this way, with Smith Family offices in seven communities across suburban Adelaide, as well as Whyalla, Port Pirie and Broken Hill.

The Smith Family relies on support from caring Australians just like you to carry out their work.

If you’d like to get involved or donate, please visit their website or call 1800 FAMILY.

www.thesmithfamily.com.au

In the middle of one of Adelaide’s driest months, approximately ninety guests joined IPAA at the Intercontinental Hotel as Robyn McLeod, South Australian Commissioner for Water Security, introduced the breakfast forum “Copenhagen: What Now? Strategies for protecting SA’s liquid gold”.

The keynote speakers, Hon Karlene Maywald MP then Minister for the River Murray, Minister for Water Security; Professor Mike Young Executive Director of the University of Adelaide’s Environment Institute; and Cheryl Edwardes Special Counsel Minter Ellison and former Western Australian Attorney General tackled one of the state’s most pressing issues – water security.

In her final engagement before the government entered caretaker mode, Minister Maywald outlined the current government’s plans for securing water for the future and the realistic options open for any administration, given the varying needs and interests of the individual states and the Commonwealth.

Cheryl Edwardes, freshly returned from the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference, offered an informative

insight into the debates and challenges of the event, particularly in the areas of the global emissions trading scheme and the development of sustainable energy sources and technologies. She was optimistic in her assessment of the outcomes from Copenhagen, especially with regards to the way that business and industry endorse the need for better resource management.

The third member of the panel, Professor Mike Young spoke on the link between water security and climate change, with a number of eye-opening examples of the effect that climate change plays on society’s reliance on water.

With climate change, the economy and government service-delivery amongst the most important issues facing any Australian government, this timely forum was highly informative, and left delegates with plenty to discuss and consider.

Water: from Copenhagen to South Australia

Cheryl Edwardes recently had an article on this topic published in the Western Australia Business News.

You can view the article online here.

In 2009 the Parliament of South Australia enacted the Public Sector Act 2009, establishing a set of principles which define a modern, streamlined employment framework aimed to support a high performing public sector guided in all of its actions by the highest standards of ethical conduct.

But what does it all mean?

Join us as we call on the experts to clarify the meaning of ethics in the modern public sector.

Warren McCann Commissioner for Public Employment, will outline the public sector framework for the Draft Code of Ethics.

Natasha Cica, Director of the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Ethics at the University of Tasmania will look at how to build ethics into organisational culture.

Allan Holmes, Chief Executive of the Department of Environment and Heritage will explain how an organisation encourages staff to strive for excellence by placing emphasis on principles of behaviour.

This forum aims to provide participants with a clearer understanding of the objectives of the policy, the importance of an ethics framework for both individuals and organisations, and how it is best applied in real terms in the workplace.

The important event is open to Public Sector staff and is proudly supported by Office for Ethical Standards and Professional Integrity.

Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2010Time: 9:00 am - 10:45 amVenue: RiAus Science Exchange 55 Exchange Place AdelaidePrice: $30 for Personal Members

Ethical Behaviour in the Public Sector

www.sa.ipaa.org.au

2009 was a year of both celebration and change for HomeStart Finance. They celebrated twenty years of making home ownership possible, in which time they have helped almost 58,000 households.

HomeStart also said farewell to their incumbent CEO Gary Storkey and welcomed John Oliver to the role.

John’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer has fulfilled a long term career objective. John has an extensive background in banking, where most recently he was the State Manager SA/NT at Bendigo and Adelaide Bank and prior to that having spent twenty five years at the Commonwealth Bank.

During his time at Adelaide Bank, John oversaw the merger with Bendigo Bank. John considers the merger as one of the highlights of his career due to the complexities of rebranding the branch network, and integrating the new systems, products and processes which were introduced during the merger.

The unique attributes of HomeStart, and their position as a niche organisation which contributes to the progress of affordable housing, appealed to John.

‘HomeStart has a real sense of social consciousness in its approach. It provides innovative and flexible products, and in many cases assists people with their housing needs when Banks and other financial institutions are unable to assist,’ he explains.

John also values the commitment the organisation makes to the community through sponsorship and other initiatives such as financial education.

His vision for the organisation is to ensure that HomeStart’s established values are maintained, and that they continue to achieve their charter and goals. ‘I want HomeStart to continue to provide innovative housing products to facilitate those goals,’ says John.

‘I want to see HomeStart continue to lead the finance industry in the areas of product innovation and development. Home affordability is a challenge for many people within our community and HomeStart is in a position to help.’

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Take a closer look...

Spread the Good News!Have you thought about using Focal Point to let the rest of the Public Sector know about the successes you or your team have had? Email: membership@sa.ipaa.org.au

www.sa.ipaa.org.au

What’s in the pipeline for South Australia’s future infrastructure? Are we on the right track when it comes to transport facilities? Where are we going with our export terminals? These were just some of the questions explored by a panel of experts on March 24, when 80 guests attended the IPAA forum: “SA’s Infrastructure Future: A State and Local Government Perspective”.

Rod Hook Deputy Chief Executive DTEI; Mike Terlet AO Chairman of the Land Management Corporation; and Terry Sutcliffe General Manager City Development, City of Onkaparinga each discussed, from different perspectives, our state’s future infrastructure plans, and the need for state and local governments to work together to deliver increasingly large infrastructure projects.

Guests were given a comprehensive overview of South Australia’s most recent infrastructure developments, from large-scale state-funded water, road and rail transport projects to intensive water-recycling initiatives at the local government level. Each of the speakers outlined the process of such

developments from policy and strategy through to the final cutting of the ribbon, and provided helpful tips for breaching the local-state government divide and better management of inter-agency partnerships.

Most of those who attended were astounded by the long list of infrastructure projects delivered in the state in recent years including improvements and innovations in transport, health provision, energy, water, defence, mining, recycling, public and private transport, freight, sporting facilities, social and environmental sustainability, land management and education – all of which necessitate development in infrastructure.

The forum also gave guests a chance to meet and chat with their counterparts in other tiers of administration and across various agencies with responsibility for delivering the best facilities for the future.

Taking stock of our infrastructure

Australians asked

What does a reliable transport system look like?

What’s your opinion?

whatwouldyouliketochange.com.au

Australians asked

How do we fix our ailing health system? What’s your opinion?

whatwouldyouliketochange.com.au

Australians feel

Work life balance is all talk no action.What’s your opinion?

whatwouldyouliketochange.com.au

Australians feel

Education standards should be equal for all.

What’s your opinion?

whatwouldyouliketochange.com.au

The Presentations from the forum are available for Members to download by clicking here.

Welcome to our newest MembersMario Barone, City of Norwood, Payneham & St PetersPaul Di Iulio, Campbelltown City CouncilCraig Dunstan, SATCPrem Dwivedi, Women’s & Children’s HospitalLisa Furness, DFCJane Hunt, SAPOLSamantha Jones, AGDAnna Lewkowicz, DECSAndrew Love, DECSJustin Lynch, City of Holdfast BaySarah Matthews, Department of CorrectionsDavid Morcom, The Barossa CouncilRobyn O’Brien, TAFE SA RegionalTrevor Pearce, SAFECOMMargaret Price, DTEIJim Rankin, Adelaide Fesitval CentreKate Rush, DFCRuth Schubert, DFEESTMichael Seeliger, SATCKathryn Sherppard, SAPOLPeter Smith, Adelaide City CouncilMartin Smith, SAFECOMJo Sutton, SA Dental ServicesBruce Whitby, Department of HealthEmily White, Tourism Eyre Peninsula

Focal Point is published by the South Australian Division of the Institute of Public Administration Australia. The views in this publication are not necessarily those of IPAA SA, its Council or of the Editors.