On 18 November 2025, IPAA Queensland welcomed members and guests to our annual flagship event, the Irene Longman Oration, proudly supported by Bright People. This year’s keynote was delivered by Professor Brian Head, whose deep expertise in governance and public policy provided a powerful and optimistic message: Does the public sector have what it takes to deliver good policymaking for the future? The answer is a resounding YES, but we need to keep evolving and building the skills and resources to meet the pace and complexity of the challenges of the future.

The Oration explored the tools, processes and relationships required for governance excellence while navigating wicked problems. Professor Head brought clarity to three critical questions and shared insightful strategies to navigate an increasingly complex landscape.

Evolving public sector capability

Amidst the backdrop of global disruption, rapid technological change and heighted community expectations, Professor Head affirmed the public sector’s strengths while urging the need for continuous adaptation. He emphasised imbedding collaborative innovation and strategic foresight into governance practices as useful tools for navigating future challenges and ensuring long-term organisational readiness. These approaches empower public servants to anticipated emerging risks, prepare for a variety of scenarios and craft more robust strategic responses.

Strengthening democracy through inclusion

A standout message of the evening was the need for more open and inclusive policymaking. Professor Head highlighted how integrating diverse voices, lived experiences and cross-sector expertise fosters better decisions and reinforces trust and legitimacy. In his words …”open and inclusive processes tend to generate legitimacy, respect and increased trust in public institutions.” He encouraged the sector to prioritise evidence-informed dialogue, bi-partisan cooperation, and meaningful community engagement to build a stronger democracy.

Rebuilding trust and rethinking governance

Professor Head cautioned against polarisation of views and disinformation, which erode public trust in institutions. He called for enhanced communication between governments, communities, academia and industry to rebuild confidence and fortify democratic resilience. To meet the demands of the future, Professor Head also highlighted the value and importance of cross-sector partnerships, strategic foresight, and organisational structures that encourage innovation and collaboration. He challenged senior leaders to embrace bold, transformative leadership and reimaging governance models that address complex, crosscutting ‘wicked problems’.

A path forward

Professor Head concluded that we must decide – “do we want to be swamped by polarisation and propaganda, or do we want evidence-informed dialogue and a respectful contest of ideas?” The message was clear: the path forward lies in collaboration, bipartisan problem-solving, and equipping public servants with the tools to lead in an evolving landscape.

For IPAA Queensland, the Oration reaffirms our shared purpose of building capability, stewardship and trust across the public purpose community. As we look to 2026 and beyond, Professor Head’s insights provided both inspiration and a roadmap for strengthening the health of democracy in Queensland.

Read the full approved transcript of the 2025 Irene Longman Oration by Professor Brian Head.

Resources for further reading

OECD Strategic Foresight Toolkit

UNESCO Futures Lab

Policy Fit for the Future – The Australian Government Futures Primer

The IPAA Queensland oration is named in honour of Irene Longman, the first female elected to the Queensland Parliament (1929-1932) and a dedicated ‘public servant’ to the community for over 30 years. Her values and legacy include the welfare of women, children and people with intellectual disabilities; establishing the first education opportunity classes; enabling women to join the police in Queensland; creating a separate Children’s Court; and for the appointment of an advisory panel in difficult cases of juvenile delinquency.

The oration is an annual flagship event, similar to IPAA National’s Garran Oration (in honour of Sir Robert Garran, the first Commonwealth public servant) and the orations held by other state and territory IPAAs. The oration’s intent is to honour an individual and their contribution to the field of public administration. It is delivered by a prominent leader who will focus on a relevant aspect of the sector to encourage public interest and contemporary thinking.