The Australian community is vastly different in the 21st Century than in the 20th, with vastly different expectations. Drivers for change include accelerating technological developments, rapidly changing demographics, new international powers and connections, and global environmental concerns. One of the key impacts has been the realization that governments and their agencies cannot work on their own.
For a decade or more we have been talking about, and experimenting with, ways to respond to these pressures through networks and partnerships, third-party service delivery, consultation and collaboration, community involvement and control, mutual responsibility and empowerment. What is happening in practice and what have we learned? What will the next generation public sector look like if it is to be successful? Is a new level of shared responsibility likely to emerge in order to identify and meet community objectives? If so, how will those involved be held accountable? What will be the role of governments, individuals, community organizations and business?
Minority government and its implications were at the heart of the Institute of Public Administration Australia’s 2011 National Conference in Hobart on 25 and 26 August.
The conference provided a fantastic balance between keynote addresses, ‘Yes Minister’ hypotheticals, and expert Q&A panels. Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered the annual Garran Oration – an oration named in honour of Australia’s first public servant and longest-serving Commonwealth department head, Sir Robert Garran.
Conference papers, presentations and selected footage are now available on this website.