Taking care during Caretaker: Resources for the public sector
On the 4th September 2024, IPAA Queensland in partnership with QUT’s Graduate School of Business hosted our second Mastercraft Seminar Series event on Caretaker Conventions.
With over 600 public purpose professionals registered, this event sought to get back to the fundamentals and sharpen knowledge in a core area for the public sector.
This workshop shared insights about this important function of democracy and public administration, with a particular focus on Queensland.
Drawing on wisdom and experience of experts, Professor Ken Smith AO and Dr Scott Prasser, this session offered case study learnings and practical advice to help public servants to both understand their role in complying with Caretaker Conventions and to carefully prepare themselves, and their department for changes that may occur.
Following the session, Professor Smith AO and Dr Prasser shared a suite of additional resources to support the sector informed on the importance of Caretaker Conventions.
IPAA Queensland invites you to come and learn from our formidable speakers to build knowledge, build connections, and keep informed.
FULL RECORDING:
Missed the event and keen to see what was discussed? Watch the full recording on IPAA Queensland’s YouTube Channel now:
RESOURCES:
Guidelines on the Caretaker Conventions (Queensland) – Guidelines on the Caretaker Conventions (premiers.qld.gov.au)
Leading with Political Astuteness: A Study of Public Managers in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom by Hartley et al – Leading with Political Astuteness: A Study of Public Managers in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom (researchgate.net)
Constructing the Craft of Public Administration by Shearer – Constructing the Craft of Public Administration: Perspectives from Australia | SpringerLink
Institute for Government – Preparing for Government (UK Based) – preparing-for-government.pdf (instituteforgovernment.org.uk)
Transition: Taking over Power in 1983 by Patrick Weller – TRANSITION: TAKING OVER POWER IN 1983 – Weller – 1983 – Australian Journal of Public Administration – Wiley Online Library
Rethinking Caretaker Conventions for Australian Governments by Davis et al – Rethinking Caretaker Conventions for Australian Governments – Davis – 2001 – Australian Journal of Public Administration – Wiley Online Library
Political Crossroads: The 1989 Queensland Election edited by Rosemary Whip and Colin A Hughes – Political crossroads: the 1989 Queensland election – UQ eSpace
IPAA Queensland would like to thank our partner and sponsor, QUT’s Graduate School of Business for their support in facilitating this event.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Professor Ken Smith AO
Ken Smith AO brings extensive, senior, and diverse public sector experience from roles in NSW, Tasmania and for almost three decades for the Queensland government. He previously headed the Queensland Public Service as Director General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet between 2007 and 2011 and held various department chief executive officer positions in Queensland from the early ’90s.
He has worked on many national policy issues over the past three decades, particularly in housing and urban affairs, social welfare and education. Ken has served as Coordinator-General and Director-General of the Queensland Department of Infrastructure and has been the Director-General of a range of large Queensland Government departments including Education and Arts, Employment and Training, Family Services, Disability Services Queensland and Housing Local Government and Planning. He has been involved in Commonwealth state negotiations from the early ’80s onwards and has chaired many senior officer fora.
Ken has undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in social work majoring in social policy. He has worked extensively with and within the school, vocational and higher education sectors and is a Fellow of the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG) , Australian College of Educators and Australian College of Educational Leadership.
He has extensive experience as a chair and board member of several companies and statutory authorities in Australia and the United Kingdom, including as a Board Member, Chair and Dean and CEO of ANZSOG. He is the Chair of The Benevolent Society, Australia’s oldest charity formed in 1813. Ken is currently Professor of Practice at Queensland University of Technology and does work with a range of universities in Australia and internationally working on public administration and policy issues in the Indo-Pacific region.
ABOUT OUR MASTERCRAFT SERIES
IPAA Queensland’s Mastercraft Series is the latest in our original and unique program of initiatives aimed at supporting and developing the public sector in Queensland.
These events are designed to deliver the latest information and thinking on core areas of knowledge for all public service professionals. The aim is to promote evidence-based and thoughtful practice in public policy and public management, and to develop essential knowledge and skills in the craft of public administration (particularly amongst young professionals and those new to public service).
Delivered in an engaging and sharp format, including relevant and interesting case examples and lots of opportunity for Q&A, the Mastercraft Series will become a sort-after addition to our annual program.
The series are offered free to IPAA Queensland individual members and organisational member employees in alignment with our mission to build the capability, professionalism and integrity of public service in Queensland.