IPAA Victoria 2019 Leadership in the Public Sector Awards ceremony

Delivering public value through communication excellence
Smart communication has the ability to effect change and be critical to the success of government’s policies, programs and projects. This award recognises excellence in communication, both internal and external, and awards initiatives that deliver public value through innovative communication.

Excellence in evidence-based policymaking
Policymaking is the backbone of everything the public sector does, with good policymaking helping to address long-term and ‘wicked’ problems. This award recognises excellence in public policymaking, most particularly with respect to the approaches taken to develop proposals for government that are informed by robust evidence (broadly defined to include research, data, pilots and/or stakeholder engagement).

Placing the community at the centre of public services
Public services are the interface between the community and government; the community cares about public services and depends on their delivery. This award recognises novel and successful approaches to service delivery, adopting a human-centred approach to better engage the community and achieve enhanced public outcomes.

Smart approaches to regulating; for a better community and stronger economy
Regulation is essential for the proper functioning of our society and the economy, and has a flow-on to productivity and general community wellbeing. This award recognises innovation and excellence in approaches to best practice regulatory design and policy, and includes, but is not limited to, achieving future-oriented regulatory design and practice, regulatory reform, and high quality evidence, analysis and stakeholder consultation.

Creating the public sector workforces and workplaces of the future
In an ever-changing world, the public sector employer has an eye to the future; cultivating and attracting a highly capable workforce to respond effectively to new challenges. This award recognises that the leading public sector employer takes an innovative and holistic approach to its people: from creating a positive culture to strong leadership; from smart recruitment practices to developing employee capabilities; from rewarding and recognising success to creating robust and flexible systems; and from embracing new and digital technologies to creating safe, welcoming and supportive workplaces.

Delivering resilient public entities and embedding integrity
Good public sector governance not only ensures that a public entity achieves its objectives but that the community can have faith in the public sector to act with integrity. This award celebrates new and innovative approaches to public sector governance; the processes and structures by which public entities are directed, controlled and held to account.

Leading, creating and empowering for environmental and community sustainability outcomes
Creating sustainable environments has positive outcomes not only for our shared natural environment, but for the community at large. This award recognises and celebrates innovative initiatives that achieve long-term sustainability outcomes, by supporting and empowering Victorian communities to live a more sustainable life and/or creating sustainable environments.

Empowering Aboriginal communities to achieve long-term change and improved outcomes, through developing new relationships and new ways of working
Embedding the voice and agency of Aboriginal Victorians in decision making at all three levels of government and across agencies is critical to achieving long-term generational and improved outcomes for Aboriginal communities. This award celebrates Aboriginal self-determination as enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples through active partnerships that are transferring policy and program decision-making and resources to the Victorian Aboriginal community.

The JA Aird Award was established in honour of John Allan Aird, IPAA Victoria’s longest serving president (1940-1957) and an IPAA Victoria Honorary Life Member, who was both Chief Irrigation Officer and later Commissioner of the State Rivers and Water Supply Commission during his career. The Award aims to promote the profession of public administration and establishing and building a career that serves the people of Victoria.