Category: Archives

Connecting Government: Whole of government responses to Australia's priority challenges

The report has defined ‘whole of government' in the Australian Public Service (APS) as:

Whole of government denotes public service agencies working across portfolio boundaries to achieve a shared goal and an integrated government response to particular issues. Approaches can be formal and informal. They can focus on policy development, program management and service delivery.

Within the US this term has been used in association with “Rebalancing the Instruments of National Power” whose earlier iteration was DIME: Diplomatic, Informational, Military, Economic.

Admiral Dennis Blair and The Honorable James Locher, founders of the Project on National Security Reform (PNSR) contintributed significantly to the Rebalancing dialog.

Joe Nye has popularized the term “soft power, of his three recent books the first and the third are the better ones.

Review: The Paradox of American Power–Why the World’s Only Superpower Can’t Go It Alone

Review: Soft Power–The Means To Success In World Politics

Review: The Powers to Lead

Also recommended:

Review: Statecraft as Soulcraft

Review: The Politics of Fortune–A New Agenda For Business Leaders

The public intelligence network (PIN, as in pin stuck in the side of the organization) might be:

– an advisory board, advising the institution via the board of directors.

– an intelligence service in support of the board

– a virtual and non-voting public “member” of the board of directors.

The PIN would key off the agenda of the board, using it where it makes sense, and criticizing it or adding to it where needed.  It would help to have the cooperation of board members who would keep the PIN informed, and to speak on its behalf during board meetings.  Otherwise, the management can continue to monitor what the PIN is saying to the board, and this is a benefit to the board because it maintains pressure between board meetings.

Definition:  Advisory Board of Directors:  Individuals appointed to offer expert advise to the elected board of directors. Neither they are bound by the legal duties imposed on the elected board members, nor the elected board is bound by their recommendations.