Title: Right Story, Wrong Story: Adventures in Indigenous Thinking

Author: Tyson Yunkaporta

Recommended by: Samay Zhouand, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: In this follow-up to Sand Talk, Yunkaporta uses stories, carved objects and conversations to explore how different cultures tell “right” and “wrong” stories about land, law, identity and each other. He brings Indigenous knowledge systems into dialogue with academics, practitioners and Elders, asking how collective thinking can align with Country rather than work against it. The book invites readers to question familiar narratives, examine their own patterns of thought and consider more accountable ways of relating to place and community.

Title: Thinking in Systems

Author: Donella H. Meadows

Recommended by: Neil Scales OBE FIPAA, IPAA Queensland Treasurer

Abstract: A classic introduction to systems thinking, this book explains how patterns in everyday life, organisations and the environment arise from connected “systems” of people, rules, resources and feedback loops. Meadows unpacks ideas such as stocks and flows, delays, and reinforcing or balancing feedback, and shows how interventions can produce unintended consequences when we do not see the whole system. Clear examples from ecology, economics and public policy make it a practical guide for anyone trying to design more resilient, sustainable solutions.

Title: Mean Streak

Author: Rick Morton

Recommended by: Jasmina Joldić PSM, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: Mean Streak is an investigation into the Robodebt scandal and the way automated decision-making and political choices combined to harm vulnerable Australians. Morton traces how the scheme was conceived, how warnings were dismissed, and what it meant for people who received unlawful debts. Drawing on testimony, documents and the Royal Commission process, he presents Robodebt as a case study in governance failure, accountability and the human cost of technocratic policy.

Title: How Big Things Get Done

Author: Bent Flyvbjerg and Dan Gardner

Recommended by: Neil Scales OBE FIPAA, IPAA Queensland Treasurer

Abstract: Drawing on an extensive database of major projects worldwide, Flyvbjerg and Gardner explore why so many big initiatives run late, over budget or fail to deliver what was promised. They describe common traps such as optimism bias, political pressure and rushing into action without sufficient planning. From infrastructure and technology to everyday projects, they distil practical principles like “plan slow, act fast” and “think from the end back to the beginning”. The result is a set of evidence-based lessons for anyone involved in designing, commissioning or managing projects.

Title: The Chairman’s Lounge

Author: Joe Aston

Recommended by: Jasmina Joldić PSM, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: Aston charts the rise and fall of Qantas in recent years, focusing on leadership decisions, corporate culture and the political relationships surrounding the airline. Using the exclusive Chairman’s Lounge as a symbol of influence and access, he examines how reputation, staff morale and customer trust were eroded over time. The book offers a detailed look at corporate governance, executive power and the consequences when commercial and public expectations collide.

Title: Of(f) Course, Minister

Author: Sean Innis

Recommended by: Dr Scott Prasser, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: Of(f) Course, Minister looks at how Westminster-style systems are supposed to work and how they operate in practice. Innis reflects on the changing relationship between ministers, public servants and the public, and explores topics such as stewardship, transparency, delivery and the creation of public value. Written in an accessible style, it encourages readers to think critically about the role of the public service today and the reforms needed to support better outcomes.

Title: In Covid’s Wake: How Our Politics Failed Us

Author: Stephen Macedo and Frances E. Lee

Recommended by: Dr Scott Prasser, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: This book uses the COVID-19 pandemic as a lens on democratic politics, particularly in the United States. Macedo and Lee argue that polarisation, weakened institutions and the politicisation of science undermined an effective response and fuelled mistrust. Rather than re-opening every policy decision, they focus on how information was handled, how disagreements were managed and what the pandemic revealed about the strengths and limits of liberal democracy. The analysis raises questions that resonate well beyond one country or crisis.

Title: What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

Author: Michiko Aoyama

Recommended by: Tanya Hornick FIPAA, IPAA Queensland President and Secretary

Abstract: Set in a Tokyo community library, this novel follows five people navigating different crossroads in their lives. Each meets librarian Sayuri Komachi, who offers an unexpected reading list that nudges them to see their situation differently. Through these interlinked stories, the book explores themes of purpose, connection and quiet transformation. It is a gentle reminder of the role libraries, books and small acts of kindness can play in helping people re-imagine their own futures.

Title: Plots and Prayers

Author: Niki Savva

Recommended by: Jasmina Joldić PSM, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: Savva reconstructs the events leading up to the 2018 Liberal Party leadership spill that removed Malcolm Turnbull and saw Scott Morrison become Prime Minister. Drawing on insider interviews and her long experience in Canberra, she maps the role of factional conflicts, personal loyalties and misjudgements inside the government. The book provides a detailed, behind-the-scenes account of how power is contested within a governing party and what that turmoil revealed about contemporary Australian politics.

Title: The Shortest History of the United States of America

Author: Don Watson

Recommended by: Angela Massy, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: This book is Don Watson’s concise history of the United States, tracing the nation from its pre-1776 origins through revolution, civil war, industrialisation, global superpower status and into the fractured politics of the twenty-first century. He focuses on the central conflicts that have shaped the country – over freedom and slavery, race, frontiers, enterprise, religion and violence – and how these tensions repeatedly surface in different eras. Written in his characteristic, reflective style, Watson balances sharp criticism with a sense of fascination for America’s contradictions, offering an accessible overview that links past events to the challenges and divisions of the present.

Title: Näku Dhäruk: The Bark Petitions – How the People of Yirrkala Changed the Course of Australian Democracy

Author: Professor Clare Wright OAM

Recommended by: Jasmina Joldić PSM, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: Näku Dhäruk tells the story of the 1963 Yirrkala Bark Petitions, in which Yolŋu leaders combined painted bark and typed text to petition the Australian Parliament about mining on their land. Wright traces how these petitions challenged assumptions about sovereignty, land rights and the place of First Nations law within Australian democracy. Combining archival research and community voices, the book highlights Yolŋu leadership and explains how this action contributed to later land rights struggles and wider democratic change.

Title: Avoiding the Ageing Parent Trap: How to Plan Ahead and Prevent Legal and Family Issues

Author: Brian Herd

Recommended by: Samay Zhouand, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: Written by an Australian elder-law specialist, this guide explains the legal, financial and family issues that often arise as parents age, and how to address them before they become crises. Herd covers topics such as powers of attorney, aged-care funding, Centrelink, wills, estate disputes and sibling conflict in plain language, using case examples from practice. The focus is on helping families have early, honest conversations and put practical plans in place to protect relationships as well as assets.

Title: Leading from Between: Indigenous Participation and Leadership in the Public Service

Author: Catherine Althaus and Ciaran O’Faircheallaigh

Recommended by: Andrew Wills, IPAA Queensland Director

Abstract: This book is a comparative study of Indigenous public servants in British Columbia and Queensland, examining how their presence and leadership shape public policy and public services. It traces the history of Indigenous employment in the public sector, explores how Indigenous understandings of leadership intersect with Western bureaucratic norms, and analyses both the barriers and enablers that Indigenous leaders encounter in government systems. Centring the voices and personal experiences of Indigenous public servants, Althaus and O’Faircheallaigh show how those who “lead from between” – straddling Indigenous communities and state bureaucracies – can help create more responsive, relational and culturally grounded institutions, particularly in the context of reconciliation and self-determination agendas in Canada and Australia.

Title: Grit: Why passion and resilience are the secrets to success

Author: Angela Duckworth

Recommended by: Andrew Wills, IPAA Queensland Director

Abstract: In this bestselling work, psychologist Angela Duckworth argues that long-term passion and perseverance – what she calls “grit” – matter more for high achievement than talent or luck alone. Drawing on years of research and interviews with top performers in fields such as sport, business, education and the military, she shows how gritty people sustain interest, work hard over time, and stay committed to long-range goals despite setbacks. The book unpacks the components of grit, including interest, deliberate practice, purpose and hope, and offers practical ideas for how individuals, parents, teachers and leaders can cultivate these qualities in themselves and others.

Title: Why Bureaucracy Matters (series)

Author: David Schmidtchen

Recommended by: IPAA member

Abstract: This series of articles explores why bureaucracy remains essential to effective government, even as “cutting red tape” is a constant political slogan. Schmidtchen argues that well-designed bureaucratic systems provide stability, institutional memory and a framework for fair decision-making. He also examines how poorly designed rules, siloed structures and outdated processes can impede performance. Across the pieces, he considers what a modern, future-ready bureaucracy could look like and how public service craft might evolve.

Title: Powerfully Likeable: A Woman’s Guide to Effective Communication

Author: Kate Mason

Recommended by: IPAA member

Abstract: Mason challenges the idea that being influential and being likeable are in conflict for women at work. Drawing on coaching practice and research, she shows how women can communicate with clarity and confidence while staying authentic to their own style. The book explores topics such as managing perceptions, handling conflict, speaking up in meetings and leading without adopting a persona that does not fit. It positions “being powerfully likeable” as using warmth, strength and credibility together to build lasting influence.

Title: Decolonizing Solidarity: Dilemmas and Directions for Supporters of Indigenous Struggles

Author: Clare Land

Recommended by: IPAA member

Abstract: Land examines the realities of solidarity work, focusing on non-Indigenous activists who seek to support Aboriginal struggles for justice. Drawing on interviews, movement history and her own activism in south-eastern Australia, she explores common pitfalls such as centring, saviourism and short-term engagement. The book argues that genuine solidarity requires ongoing critical self-reflection, material change and a willingness to be uncomfortable. It has become a key resource for people involved in Indigenous rights and anti-colonial movements, offering both conceptual tools and practical guidance on “decolonising” supportive relationships.

Title: The Rest is History – Mary, Queen of Scots (six-part series)

Author: Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook

Recommended by: Dr Graham Fraine PSM, IPAA Queensland Councillor

Abstract: In this six-episode arc of The Rest is History, historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook tell the story of Mary, Queen of Scots – from her early life and brief childhood reign, through her years in France and Scotland, to her imprisonment and execution. They weave together politics, religion and personal drama to explain why Mary became both a romantic figure and a serious rival to Elizabeth I. The series blends detailed research with accessible storytelling, illustrating how podcasting can bring complex history to a broad audience.

Title: Big Ideas

Author: ABC Radio National – hosted by Natasha Mitchell

Recommended by: Andrew Wills, IPAA Queensland Director

Abstract: Big Ideas is a long-form ideas podcast that brings listeners the best of talks, forums, debates and festivals from Australia and around the world. Each episode features leading thinkers, practitioners and storytellers exploring major social, cultural, scientific and political issues in depth. Framed by the tagline “feed your mind, be provoked, one big idea at a time”, the program offers a front-row seat to live events and thoughtful conversations, inviting listeners to engage with complex topics beyond the daily news cycle.

Title: The Westminster Tradition

Author: Good Government Advisory – produced by Danielle Elston with Caroline Croser-Barlow and Alison Lloydd-Wright

Recommended by: IPAA member

Abstract: The Westminster Tradition is a podcast that unpacks public sector failures and what they reveal about systems of government. Starting with the Robodebt Royal Commission, the series examines how institutions, cultures and incentives contributed to things going wrong, and what lessons can be drawn for future practice. Episodes combine detailed case analysis with reflections on governance, accountability and the lived experience of public servants, making it particularly relevant for people working in or alongside the Australian public service.

Title: No Bullsh!t Leadership

Author: Martin G. Moore (Your CEO Mentor)

Recommended by: IPAA member

Abstract: No Bullsh!t Leadership is a weekly podcast for leaders who want practical, experience-based advice rather than theory. Host Martin G. Moore, a former CEO and leadership author, shares short episodes on topics such as accountability, performance, culture and decision-making. Each episode focuses on concrete tools and real stories from corporate life, aiming to help listeners build confidence, lift their team’s performance and avoid common leadership traps.

Title: Short & Curly

Author: ABC – hosted by Carl Smith, Molly Daniels and Dr Matt Beard

Recommended by: IPAA member

Abstract: Short & Curly is a family ethics podcast that uses stories, humour and big questions to get kids (and adults) thinking about right and wrong. Each episode tackles a dilemma – from fairness and friendship to technology and the environment – and invites listeners to pause the show and discuss their own answers. Produced by the ABC, it is designed for classroom use, car trips or around-the-table conversations, helping children practise reasoning, empathy and respectful debate.