The Mandarin Live: Building a Better Public Service - Brisbane

Join the leaders shaping the future of public service in Queensland.

For the first time, The Mandarin’s flagship event — Building a Better Public Service — is coming to Brisbane. This full-day conference on August 21, 2025, brings together federal, state and local public sector professionals for a powerful program of presentations, panels and practical insights. Capability is at the heart of a strong public service — and this event is your opportunity to explore what it really takes to build it. From attracting and retaining the next generation of leaders, to digital transformation, strategic decision-making, ethics, and stewardship, this event covers the essential elements that strengthen governments from the inside out.

Who should attend:

• Government executives, department heads and senior leaders

• Policy, HR, technology, data and service delivery professionals

• Public sector advisors, consultants and partners

• Anyone working with or within government who wants to lift capability in their organisation

Why YOU should attend:

• Hear from leading thinkers and public sector reformers on the big issues shaping the future

• Gain practical insights into what’s working in recruitment, retention, leadership and more

• Build your network with peers, changemakers and decision-makers across government

• Walk away inspired — and equipped — to help build a better public service

Join speakers including:

• David Crisafulli, Premier and Minister for Veterans

• Rachel Hunter, Acting Chair Commissioner, Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission

• Jasmina Joldić, Adjunct Professor, ANZSOG Practice Fellow

• David Mackie, Queensland Public Sector Commissioner

• Adam Fennessy, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

• Suzi Woodrow-Read, Executive Director, Leadership and Capability, Queensland Public Sector Commission

• Peter Coaldrake, Reviewer, Let the Sunshine In

• Fiona Armstrong, CEO, Liquid

• Nathan Bines, Executive Director, Department of Customer Services, Open Data and Small and Family Business

• Stefan Hajkowicz, Chief Research Consultant, CSIRO

• Major General Jake Ellwood (Retd), CEO, Queensland Reconstruction Authority

• Dr Ingrid Burkett, Co-Director, The Good Shift

• Leslie Cannold, Associate Professor of Ethics and Impact, Cranlana Centre for Ethical Leadership

• Graham Fraine, Director-General, Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development

• Andrew Wills, Director, Institute of Public Administration Australia (IPAA) Queensland

• Dr Ian Mackie, former deputy director-general, Thriving Regional Communities

• Neil Willmett, CEO, Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland

More speakers to be announced.

For enquiries, contact events@themandarin.com.au

Find out everything you need to know about the event here: Building a Better Public Service, Brisbane 2025

1. Event details
Thursday, August 21 - W Brisbane
Conference 8.30am - 5.20pm
Networking drinks 5.20pm - 6.20pm

2. How much are tickets?
Ticket price is dependent on release and if you are working in the public sector. Please visit the checkout page for full pricing information. For group ticket purchases, please contact our team directly at events@themandarin.com.au.

3. Can this conference be used as part of my training and development?
Yes. If you need further information to provide for internal sign-off, please contact our team by emailing events@themandarin.com.au.

4. Are there other perks of attending?
Yes. You will receive a 50% discount on an annual subscription to The Mandarin and exclusive access to Pia Andrews and Marcus Wigan's new book, The Expertise Deficit.

5. How can I find more information about sponsoring?
For our media kit and more information, please contact raustin@themandarin.com.au