Mastercraft Webinar: Practical wisdom on Caretaker Conventions – Mastering the craft of public service
Get back to the fundamentals. Sharpen your knowledge in a core area for anyone invested in improving their craft skills in delivering public service in what is known as the caretaker period.
IPAA Queensland, in partnership with the QUT Graduate School of Business was delighted to invite Queensland public servants to the next instalment in our Mastercraft knowledge series.
This new and timely workshop shared insights about this important function of democracy and public administration, with a particular focus on Queensland. Drawing on wisdom and experience of our expert, Professor Ken Smith AO, this session offered case study learnings and practical advice that will 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 an election and appointment of any new Ministry whether there is a change of government or the existing government is returned to power.
Caretaker Conventions not only safeguard democracy by ensuring that no significant decisions or commitments are made during the period between calling the election and clarity of the election outcomes and/or appointment of a new ministry through the Machinery of Government arrangements. They also aim to ensure efficient transition of power between governments and of transfer of knowledge from the public service to any incoming governments. The importance of this function, and the essential role of public servants in it, should not be understated.
From his decades of experience in public administration, including as Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and as Coordinator-General in Queensland, as well as several other CEO roles in line departments, Professor Smith offered insights and stories from his distinguished career illustrating key lessons.
Missed the event and keen to know more, read our IPAA blog including full recoding here.
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.
IPAA Queensland was proud to partner with the QUT Graduate School of Business to inform and challenge our members.
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.