So to conclude, my main arguments in this lecture are:
firstly, the APS operates in a contestable policy environment, and it is imperative that we use our advantages – our breadth, our institutional memory and our history of work in the public interest – and that we use them to get the best policy outcomes we possibly can for the Australian community;
secondly, the best way we can do that is to really get on board with whole of government working, and to leverage off the good research and other work that is being done within and without the APS;
thirdly, our capabilities are critical to the whole enterprise. We need to have the right people with the right skills in the right jobs; but
most importantly, we need to have some passion to really make it fly.
I hope that I have managed in this presentation to persuade you of the need for new thinking about our approach to policy development and advice in the Australian Public Service – that, indeed, we need to reignite a passion for policy. The position of the APS in relation to policy is secure only as long as it maintains a reputation for impartiality, quality, integrity, evidence-based policy and for working in the national interest - in short, for being a professional public service. I hope this service will endeavour to foster that passion - for good public policy and for great policy outcomes for the Australian people.