Where good ideas meet the system
An in-person ANZSOG thought leadership event in Adelaide, bringing together senior public sector leaders to explore how ideas, reforms and innovations are translated into practice within government.
The event will feature a panel of senior practitioners from state and Commonwealth government, offering complementary perspectives on reform, delivery and system stewardship. The panel will include leaders with experience in:
driving innovation and public sector reform
working within and across government systems
translating policy into practice at scale
Where good ideas meet the system
ANZSOG invites you to a thought-provoking conversation in Adelaide on one of the core challenges facing public sector leaders: how to translate good ideas into effective action.
Governments are continually developing new policies, innovations and reform agendas. Yet the success of these ideas depends on how they interact with the realities of public sector systems; including institutional constraints, delivery pressures and accountability settings.
This session will feature a panel of senior leaders from across government, bringing perspectives from:
state-level reform and delivery
system and capability-building roles
Commonwealth policy and implementation contexts
Together, the panel will explore how ideas move (or stall) as they encounter the realities of public sector systems.
Events Details
Speakers & Panellists
Danielle Elston (MC/Host)
Managing Director Good Government Advisory
Danielle Elston is a senior public sector leader and trusted adviser with extensive experience working with governments across Australia to improve policy, strategy and delivery. She supports senior officials and ministers to navigate complex systems and drive practical reform that improves outcomes for communities.
A former senior executive in South Australian government, Danielle brings deep experience across multiple portfolios and a strong understanding of how change happens in practice. She is also co-host of The Westminster Tradition podcast, where she explores leadership, governance and the dynamics of public purpose.
Brenton Caffin (Panellist)
ANZSOG Program Director, Leading Exponential Change
Brenton brings a focus on how leaders can translate ideas into action within complex systems, drawing on his work with governments to design and deliver reform at scale.
Senior State government leader (TBA)
A senior public sector leader with direct experience in delivering reform within the South Australian context.
Chris Barrett (Panellist)
Secretary, Department of Treasury and Finance
Chris has over 20 years’ experience in public policy and currently serves as DTF Secretary (since Dec 2023), leading economic and financial advice to Government. He previously held senior roles including Deputy Secretary (Economic Division), CEO of Invest Victoria, Australian Ambassador to the OECD, and Executive Director at the European Climate Foundation.