Year highlight 2

Ministerial Conversations Series

Photo: see caption
The Hon. John Howard, MP, Prime Minister of Australia, with Lynelle Briggs, Australian Public Service Commissioner, at the inaugural Ministerial Conversations event

In August 2005, the Commission launched a new series of events for senior executives—the Ministerial Conversations Series. The purpose of the series is to provide senior executives with the opportunity to hear directly from Ministers on their current policy perspectives and their expectations of the APS in implementing Government policy in a whole of government context.

The series was launched by the Hon. John Howard, MP, Prime Minister of Australia, who presented on the topic of Priorities for Government and the public service in the 4th term. This event was followed by another three successful events involving:

the Hon. Peter Costello, MP, Commonwealth Treasurer, presented on Economic reform directions and the role of the public service
the Hon. Kevin Andrews, MP, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service, presenting on the topic of The Australia system of government: workplace reform directions and the role of the public service
the Hon. Philip Ruddock, MP, Attorney-General, presented The important public policy legal issues confronting Australia.

The series continues to be a success and the Commission is delighted to have confirmed the following Ministers to present in the upcoming months:

the Hon. Julie Bishop, MP, Minister for Education, Science and Training and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women’s Issues
the Hon. Mark Vaile, MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade
Senator the Hon. Amanda Vanstone, Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

With over 1100 participants attending the first four events, the Commission expects this trend to continue during 2006–07.