Daniel Patterson has always been keen to do good for Canberra’s communities – and their backyards. On this episode of Public Sector Unearthed, the horticulture expert and passionate public servant tells us the story of Canberra’s innovative European Wasp program.

Daniel shares how his team manages European wasps in the ACT, by focusing on eco-friendly, preventative measures. He talks us through how the program evolved through using new luring techniques and focusing on preventative, rather than reactive, approaches for trapping queen wasps to reduce the wasp population.

The program became a standout initiative in public safety and environmental management, earning the 2023 IPAA ACT Spirit of Service Awards in the ‘Breakthrough’ category.

This episode’s Unearthed wisdom: Pest control is crucial to keeping local species and communities safe and thriving.

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Whilst the ‘whole-of-nation’ approach is not new on the global stage, it is still a relatively new concept in Australian international policy circles. Amidst global challenges that demand more than just government action, it is also becoming increasingly vital. Unlike the familiar whole-of-government strategy, the ‘whole-of-nation’ approach includes a broader coalition, encompassing public sector agencies and actors from science, sports, arts, industry, civil society and more. But what are the nuances of this approach, and what potential does it hold for Australia on the global stage?

In this episode, host David Pembroke welcomes Melissa Conley Tyler, executive director of the Asia-Pacific Development Diplomacy & Defence Dialogue (AP4D) and honorary fellow at the University of Melbourne. The discussion hones in on a comprehensive report published by AP4D in February, which involved consultations with 113 individuals from 93 organisations on the whole-of-nation approach. Throughout the episode, Melissa sheds light on the perceived benefits, potential barriers, and the critical balance between commercial and national interests. Tune in to discover how this approach applies to various areas, from major sporting events to climate change initiatives.

Show notes:

A whole-of-nation approach to international policy | Asia-Pacific Development, Diplomacy and Defence Dialogue

The whole-of-nation approach in attaining inclusive and sustainable peace | National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict

A whole-of-nation approach | Executive Order No. 70, President of Philippines

Public service to go from ‘whole-of-government' to ‘whole-of-nation' | The Straits Times, Singapore

A Whole of Nation Approach | Singapore Government

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In this episode of the Public Sector Unearthed podcast, Matt Padovan and Noel Chan from the ACT public service walk us through the organisation’s innovative flexible work program.

Having worked on this project well before the world had to grapple with more flexible work demands due to COVID-19, Matt, who is director of flexible work within the ACT Government’s Office of Industrial Relations and Workforce Strategy, reflects on the program’s development. He highlights that it is as much about innovative workspaces as it is about cultural uplift, and why this approach wasn’t without challenges in the initial stages.

Noel, who is director of the North Canberra Hospital Transition Project at the ACT Health Directorate is an avid user of the flexi hub workspaces, with the Belconnen site being her personal favourite. She talks about how the flexible workspaces have improved her work-life balance, and how it’s helped her gain a fresh perspective on the importance of collaboration between different directorates.

Together with guest presenter Brock Phyland, Matt and Noel explore how flexible workspaces have transitioned from simply providing location flexibility to driving a cultural shift that promotes collaboration and innovation across various government areas.

This episode’s Unearthed wisdom: Experimentation and taking risks are key to creating flexible workspaces that are responsive to workforce needs.

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