The Australia and New Zealand School of Government’s (ANZSOG’s) Future Leaders Series is examining how Public Services in the two countries need to change in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ANZSOG said a series of short masterclasses on a range of themes would focus on the future of public services and bring together leading academics and practitioners.
Professor of Politics and Dean of Engagement at the Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Anne Tiernan is leading Bridging the Gap between Policy and Implementation on 15 December.
Professor Tiernan said the pandemic had exposed leaders and systems in many countries, including some of the world’s most wealthy.
“The pandemic has exposed a lack of capacity and capability that is a product of decades of critique of and disinvestment in systems of public service provision, and a focus on ‘efficiencies’ over preparedness for contingencies,” Professor Tiernan said.
Digital transformation specialist, Martin Stewart-Weeks who is leading the Digital Transformation: Strategy, Skills and Leadership masterclass on 8 December, said the pandemic was an opportunity to embed digital transformation in Governments.
“There is little doubt that we’ve seen more transformation in digital tools, platforms and ways of working in the last few months in Government, as we have in every other sector, than we have in the past few years,” Mr Stewart-Weeks said.
“It’s been remarkable to witness the relative success with which many of the changes have been navigated, but the real test is still to come.”
He wondered whether the changes would become entrenched as a new normal.
“Whether that experience is deeply embedded in changes to work, process, performance, culture and leadership, which really would be transformational, remains to be seen,” Mr Stewart-Weeks said.
