Bruce Muirhead

Empowering Australian Voters: From Passivity to Action #AustralianDemocracy, #EmpoweredVoters, #PoliticalEngagement, #PowerMode   Empowering Australian voters. Learn how Australian voters can transition from passive observers to active participants in democracy, shaping the nation’s future.   https://lnkd.in/gxxc5B5c

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It's been a real privilege contributing with an awesome group of Māori practitioners to Amazon's Māori Data Lens on their Well Architected Framework. Not only was the work interesting, but the people were choice. Renata Hakiwai, Ngapera Riley, Nikora Ngaropo, Lee Timutimu, Wade Reweti, and Eli Pohio. E kore e mutu ngā mihi. My initial thought back last year was, 'I'm no cloud architect'. But this kaupapa reminded that here and now, anything I can see or access on my phone, TV or laptop, is in the cloud: from my whanau photos, to my contacts list, trust and marae committee minutes and accounts, my Kindle versions of Ngā Moteatea, pdfs of Matariki karakia, posts on FB about whakapapa and pūrākau, my work via Office 365, and even special whānau videos on Youtube. Moreover, Amazon seemed to share our interest in making sure our stuff is secure, private and also accessible when we need it. I knew too that Amazon is a big Taniwha, and it does not think, speak or understand us. But as my Dad always said, 'the kumara aren't going to peel themselves!' In other words, if you want to make a change, roll your sleeves up and get stuck in! So, I said yes! To be fair, the work was challenging. This is a technical guide for technical stuff. Moreover, the group did not suffer from groupthink. Yet we still we managed to craft a general te ao Māori framework tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities Māori data faces in the cloud. The end is a small step towards responsibly managing Māori data in the cloud. There is some advice about thinking, and percieving, as well as advice about the importance of relationships. Not rocket science, but definitely marae science - the 1000 cups of tea! While the road ahead is long, I am hopeful about the positive impact te ao Māori can have technology and how it is developed. This is our attempt to follow the path of Tane and grab the strong vine: Kia mau ki te aka matua, kei mau ki te aka taepa! Finally, a big mihi to Craig and Judith at Amazon for their dedication and engagement. Lets be honest, Amazon is a huge organisation and they both had to work through layers of people to pitch the whole idea, to land it, and get final approval. I know that their work with Maurea Consulting and the amazing Precious Clark clearly inspired them to deep dive in to this. Otirā Craig kōrua ko Judith, ngā mihi nui! https://lnkd.in/g72zzqvd #MaoriDataSovereignty #CloudTechnology #Collaboration

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Local Capability Fund (Western Australia)- Aboriginal Round. The Aboriginal Business Round provides funding support to Aboriginal Western Australian small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to enhance their business capability and capacity to supply to major Western Australian State or Local Government agencies, the Australian Government and the private sector. The level of funding support under the Aboriginal Business Round is 50% of eligible costs (excluding GST) up to a maximum funding level of $50,000 per successful applicant. To be eligible for funding, applicants must: Be an Aboriginal business (at least 50% owned by an Aboriginal interest); Be registered with either the Aboriginal Business Directory Western Australia or the Supply Nation’s Indigenous Business Direct; Be operating in a trade-exposed industry (or an industry that faces competition from other national or international SMEs); Be registered for GST for at least 12 months prior to application submission date; Have an Australian Business Number (ABN); Be a for-profit organisation or business, or an incorporated not-for-profit Aboriginal Corporation operating as a commercial enterprise; Have its principal place of business in Western Australia; Have been operating for at least 12 months in Western Australia at the time of submitting an application for funding; and Employ less than 200 people. https://lnkd.in/g8ZCmvvf

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Financing the Frontlines... The National Department of Health is building the capacity of provincial leadership and its workforce on public finance management in the IMPACT Health-supported province of Central. Similar training has been conducted for East Sepik and East New Britain. Supported by the World Bank-funded IMPACT Health Project, this assessor training has raised interest from an additional 11 PHAs who also participated in this training held in Port Moresby early this week. Assessing needs, identifying gaps, and providing Public Financial Management capacity building is important as the PHA concept is newly introduced in some provinces and needs to have systems and processes in place to support PHA operation and health service delivery, especially at the frontlines!

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What is the government going to do to bring excessively high public service remuneration packages into line with community expectations? AND What can the government do to stop excessively overpaid elites lecturing us about disadvantage?

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STATEMENT FROM VRCA Regional Victorian Building Industry in Crisis: Urgent Government Intervention Needed The Victorian Regional Chamber Alliance (VRCA) is calling for immediate Government action as the residential building industry throughout the State faces an unprecedented crisis. Despite the high demand for housing, regional and rural areas are witnessing a major downturn in all aspects of the housing and residential building industry. Land sales in new subdivisions have virtually stopped and agents are reporting a notable increase in land resales, where the current market value is significantly below the initial purchase price. Prospective homebuilders are therefore experiencing increased difficulty in securing bank finance to build and alarmingly, there has been an unprecedented number of defaults on land settlements. This downward spiral flows onto builders, who are unable to secure stable work which in turn impedes the commencement of much-needed dwelling construction projects across regional Victoria. Earlier this year Victoria experienced its lowest dwelling approvals in over a decade. January saw a staggering 9.8% decline in approvals compared to the previous month, illustrating a severe slowdown in construction activity. This trend underlines the financial strain faced by industry players, threatening the stability of the entire sector. Furthermore, the erosion of confidence in the building sector has led to a notable shift in consumer behaviour, with prospective buyers increasingly favouring established homes over new land and build options. The absence of first-home buyers, residential investors and upgraders in the current land market further exacerbates the challenges faced by industry stakeholders. “The Victorian Government must urgently intervene to address these pressing issues and safeguard the future of the building industry,” says the VRCA. “The Government has set a target of 80,000 new homes in Victoria in the next 10 years. Who is going to build them? Small construction companies are going out of business, looking to commercial work to survive or exiting the industry. “Supply chain issues continue to cause gaps in the construction process, and sub-contractors are stood down until materials arrive, so they too are looking for work outside of residential projects. “Immediate measures such as reassessing land tax policies, revisiting windfall-gains tax regulations, and implementing targeted financial support are essential to restore confidence and stimulate activity. “We call upon the Victorian Government to the prioritise regional and rural Victoria and take decisive action to mitigate the current crisis. Failure to act swiftly risks long term damage to the State's economy and housing market,” the VRCA said. Contact Jodie Gillett for further information

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Knowledge, access, and acceptance of contraceptive methods remain significant public health challenges to family planning services, resulting in low contraceptive use and high levels of unmet need in the country, says Marie Stopes PNG. Full reading: https://lnkd.in/gjvS42-4 #contraceptivemethods #publichealthchallenges #FamilyPlanningServices #MarieStopes #angelynfamudi #hospital #nationalgovernmentpolicy, #WorldContraceptionDay #sexualandreproductivehealth

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After the high profile UN E-Waste Management Stakeholder Workshops Held in July 2024 to Advance Sustainable Waste Management in Papua New Guinea, there is still no e-waste management site yet. Hence, while stakeholders are workshoping about e-waste management in PNG, large volumes of e-waste are ending up in landfills with general garbage Let's talk less and start building sustainable e-wast management in PNG.

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Take a look at the newest edition of the Public Sector Journal from IPANZ, the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand. This issue covers: - Realising the potential of the first 2000 days: A social investment opportunity. - Embracing accountability: Chief Ombudsman New Zealand, Peter Boshier's reflections on public sector complaints processes. - He Māori Ahau conference: Empowering Māori in public service. - Why ethical AI and governance is just good information management practice, with Stephen Clarke MRIM. - Meaningful performance reporting: How do we get there? John Ryan, Controller and Office of the Auditor-General, New Zealand. - Cracking the code: What drives our behaviours and how to harness them for policy-making, with Abigail Bender. - Digital public infrastructure explained Luke Collier outlines what digital public infrastructure is and why the public sector and all of Aotearoa New Zealand need to get on board with it. - Kiwis under the lens: An inside look at New Zealand’s social media surveillance, with Rachel Levinson-Waldman. - Is New Zealand a world leader in public budgeting? derek gill looks at New Zealand’s Open Budget survey results and highlights the need for continuous improvement. - Zaira Najam reviews the 'Here Now' podcast episode and the recently published book 'Social Developments' written by Tim Garlick. - Learn about the Policy Project, based at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. I have been a member of IPANZ for several years, and recently joined as a member of their Journal Advisory Group because I see real value from this organization. If you have topics you think should be covered in future issues, pass me a message. If you are a public servant, you likely have more access than you know through your employer's membership status. Take a look at some of the resources, training, events and the Journal. Thanks Kay for the connection.

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Special support grants in PNG were introduced in 1990, and are given to provinces with resources for capital projects. They have become inefficient, disbursed inequitably among the provinces, discretionary in levels disbursed, and have poor governance arrangements. I write about them today on the Development Policy Centre blog: https://lnkd.in/ezZPbeq2

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Ka rawe, Victoria and Jade! It's awesome to see that the next iteration of the Aotearoa Futures Network Map. How Might Business Leaders in Aotearoa New Zealand Use the Aotearoa Futures Network Map? The Map offers a powerful tool for business leaders to navigate and leverage the complex #FuturesThinking ecosystem in New Zealand. Here’s how it can be beneficial: 1) Identify Key Players and Collaborators: As a business leader in Aotearoa, how might we identify and connect with key players in the futures ecosystem to foster collaboration? The map provides a visual representation of who is working in the field, enabling leaders to identify potential collaborators, partners, and influencers. 2) Understand System Dynamics: As a business leader in Aotearoa, how might we gain insights into the dynamics and relationships within the futures ecosystem? By visualising the connections and interactions, leaders can better understand the ecosystem’s structure and identify areas for strategic engagement and innovation. 3) Spot Emerging Trends and Opportunities: As a business leader in Aotearoa, how might we spot emerging trends and opportunities within the futures ecosystem? The updated map reveals growth areas and new developments, helping leaders to stay ahead of trends and seize new opportunities for growth and impact. 4) Enhance Strategic Planning: As a business leader in Aotearoa, how might we enhance our strategic planning by integrating insights from the futures ecosystem? Leaders can incorporate broader ecosystem insights into their business strategies by using the map for scenario planning and strategic foresight. 5) Facilitate Cross-Sector Collaboration: As a business leader in Aotearoa, how might we facilitate cross-sector collaboration to drive innovation? The map highlights connections across different sectors, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and the sharing of diverse perspectives to drive innovative solutions. 6) Strengthen Community Engagement: As a business leader in Aotearoa, how might we strengthen community engagement and support? By understanding the network of organisations and initiatives, leaders can engage more effectively with community stakeholders and contribute to ecosystem-building efforts. 7) Leverage Technical Expertise: As a business leader in Aotearoa, how might we leverage technical expertise within the futures ecosystem to enhance our projects? The map identifies technical experts like Howard Lange and Victoria Mulligan, enabling leaders to seek specialised skills and knowledge about mapping to support their internal or external initiatives. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/girCZCTa Kia kaha. Kia māia. Kia manawanui! #AotearoaFutures | #ComplexSystems | #StrategicPlanning | #Collaboration | #EcosystemMapping

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From rapidly evolving technology to social changes, shifting economies to environmental pressures, our local communities - and the governments that represent them - are at the forefront of multiple transformations happening simultaneously. To ensure the Municipal Association of Victoria can successfully support councils navigate this ever-evolving landscape, we are reaching out to Mayors and Councillors, CEOs, Executive Team Members, Managers, Leads, and Council Officers from across councils throughout Victoria to complete a research survey. The results will help inform our work in supporting the local government sector moving forward and therefore the questions in the survey are intentionally future-focused. 🗺 Bonnie Shaw, our Chief Innovator in Residence, and I are excited to be working together to shape the future of our sector. We welcome your ideas and insights to inform our work to ensure it's designed to deliver what's most critical to have the most positive impact in our communities. Please complete the survey via the link below and share the survey with your local government friends and colleagues too! #localgovernment #shapingourfuture #localdemocracy #community #sustainable #councillors #mayors #cityleaders #electedmembers

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Grant opportunity: Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) Grants Opened 24/04/24; Closes 05/06/24; $100,000 up to $3M; National This grant supports short-term (up to 3 years), industry-led research collaborations. Projects must: -develop a product, service or process that will solve problems for industry and deliver real outcomes -benefit small to medium enterprises (SMEs) -include education and training activities. To be eligible as a lead applicant you must: be an SME, have an ABN, and be incorporated in Australia and a trading corporation. Your trading activities must be either: -enough to be called a trading corporation -a major, not minor, part of your overall activity. Note: review the budget workbook understand the detail you need to incorporate. #pruesgold #grants #grantwriting

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Excellent article from government news on Australia public sector. The same issues facing Australia public sector is also impacted public sectors in Canada and United States. https://lnkd.in/gzp_XWVR Doing more with less #Budget constraints are likely to remain a prominent issue in 2025, with councils facing the daunting task of delivering high-quality services while dealing with capped rates and limited funding. Residents and ratepayers continue to expect a growing list of services, from infrastructure improvements and waste management to enhanced public safety and environmental initiatives. However, financial limitations mean councils must achieve these goals with fewer resources. Attracting new talent to drive innovation Historically, the local government sector has relied on a steady flow of internal talent, with many senior positions filled by those who have built careers within the field. However, as expectations grow and demands on councils become more complex, attracting talent from outside the sector is expected to increase. Regional councils may face recruitment challenges While larger metropolitan councils may be well-positioned to attract top talent, regional councils face a different reality. Many skilled professionals prefer the amenities and career opportunities offered by urban areas, leaving rural councils struggling to fill key management positions. This issue is likely to persist in 2025, forcing regional councils to think creatively about how to attract and retain talented staff. AI will be used to boost productivity Artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming an essential tool in local government operations, and 2025 is expected to see an even greater reliance on the technology to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. Social media will become an important communication tool Social media’s role as a communication channel for local governments is set to expand in 2025. Councils will increasingly use platforms such as Facebook, Twitter (X), and Instagram to connect with residents, share information about services and events, and provide real-time updates during emergencies. Navigating a complex future As local governments map out their plans for 2025, they will need to adapt to an environment marked by financial constraints, technological advancements, and changing workforce dynamics.         Government of Canada Australian Government United States Federal Government #Digital #AI #FiscalGap #Cyber #CX   Monthly Financial Statement – Australia – October 2024 - https://lnkd.in/gp2BAuGd

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Do you or don't you? Should you or shouldn't you? Where do you sit on compensating individuals for their role in community engagement? I've heard this mentioned a few times over the last few months as more organisations explore when and when not to do it and the biggest question how. I personally have been involved in a few big projects where compensation of some format was key to ensuring a representative group can work together over a long period of time. Whether it was covering travel, accommodation, payments for care and even a living wage for weekend work. It worked really well. But what are your thoughts? #communityengagement #compensation #blogpost

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Today I announced new guidance to help agencies make smarter use of taxpayer dollars through private sector strategic leasing partnerships for infrastructure. This 'PPP-lite' approach ensures New Zealanders can get the quality infrastructure they need, where and when it's needed, while retaining flexibility to changing circumstances. Strategic leasing complements our recent PPP Framework refresh, adding another tool in our infrastructure tool belt to better deliver a different class of assets. Read the guidance and the full release below.

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Review: "Contemporary Undercurrents" by Stephen Winduo Access to Papua New Guinea (PNG) literature can be limited, so I'm sharing insights from Stephen Winduo’s "Contemporary Undercurrents," a chapter from "Transition and Transformation." Literature is crucial for nation-building, reflecting and critiquing political landscapes and societal changes. Winduo's article examines how PNG’s traditional knowledge and lifestyles confront global, socioeconomic, and political shifts. With PNG approaching its 50th Golden Jubilee, reflecting on these literary works offers valuable lessons for the future. Winduo discusses the impact of post-independence challenges (1975-1985) on PNG writers. The era saw significant issues like service denial, collapsing bureaucracy, Bougainville conflict, and economic decline. Writers like Regis Stella used literature to navigate these turbulent times. Stella’s novel, Gutsini Posa, metaphorically depicts the struggles of independence through a volcanic metaphor, reflecting on Bougainville’s civil conflict. Arnold Mundua’s The Bride’s Price explores the cultural significance of bride price in PNG, presenting a rich tapestry of Highland traditions and societal insights. Similarly, Moses Maladina’s Tabu critiques colonial-era racial injustices, revealing the oppressive White Women’s Protection Ordinance and its impact on indigenous populations. Russel Soaba’s Maiba uses parables to address the effects of modernization on traditional cultures. Soaba highlights the clash between traditional and modern power structures, emphasizing the need for balance between cultural preservation and contemporary governance. Winduo’s article concludes that PNG’s political system blends Westminster and traditional systems, with the Wantok system often causing corruption and nepotism. The chapter is insightful for understanding PNG’s socio-political dynamics and the role of literature in this context. For young Papua New Guineans, Winduo’s work provides a critical lens on our evolving identity and governance. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in PNG’s cultural and political narrative. Source: Winduo, S. (2012). Transition and Transformation: Literature, Politics and Culture in Papua New Guinea (pp. 184-202). Manui Publishers, UPNG Press.

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Resiliency is at the heart of all thriving organisations both public and private sector. Whether it is adaptation to a changing geopolitical environment, rapid advancement of technologies or shifting workforce dynamics when change is a constant resilience is critical. It was great to sit down with Rony Azzi and share examples of how governments around the world are building adaptive and resilient systems on my recent trip to Australia. #resilience #adaptive #government

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The National Health Plan has paved away forward to digitalise the health sector in 2021-2030. We have visited the Changi General Hospital in Singapore and from my honest opinion. It is not realistic for a striving png economy with a high economic growth and low economic growth to facilitate our current National Health Service Standards impact project at the same time implement the National Health Plan. We need to be realistic in terms of our financial capacities in planning Health service delivery in each provinces.  It's all about formulating plans within you capabilities to implement instead of making plans and chasing after donor fundings which is not promising for some PHAs.  Can we stop chasing after the ball in the court and play the ball as planned within our PHAs because this is how other Health services in developed countries reached National Health standards setting high standards which we are chasing after and can't achieve due to financial constraints.  "Please share your insights to my insights"

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