Politics with Michelle Grattan
News:Politics
Dennis Richardson, one of Australia’s most respected federal public servants, has just retired after an illustrious career. He served as head of the foreign affairs department, the defence department, and ASIO, and was Australian ambassador in Washington. He was also once chief-of-staff to then-prime minister Bob Hawke.
Richardson was never afraid to tell ministers what he believed they should hear, and any grudges they had as a result they apparently got over very quickly.
He urges bureaucrats to be forthright with their political bosses, but also to be strategic in how they go about trying to persuade. “Providing frank and fearless advice is not about getting something off your chest, it’s about seeking to influence for an outcome that you think is the right one.”
In this interview with The Conversation he reflects on trends in the public service, and discusses the implications of the Trump presidency and the future of China. He also recalls as a very young public servant being sent to play squash with Billy McMahon – and beating him. Not long after, he handed out how-to-vote cards for Labor in the “It’s Time” election.
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Greens leader Adam Bandt on trying to force Labor’s hand on reform
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Frank Brennan on rewording Voice question
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Kate Chaney on life as a teal MP
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Senator Malarndirri McCarthy on Alice Springs and the Voice
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Treasurer Jim Chalmers answers critics of his ‘values-based capitalism’
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Albanese flags new progress in China relationship ’in coming weeks’
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Energy crisis has ‘badly damaged’ social licence of coal and gas
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Niki Savva on her book Bulldozed, Scott Morrison and the Liberals’ woes
Politics with Michelle Grattan: ’Teal’ Monique Ryan on the Victorian election and six months in parliament
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Tim Colebatch, Kos Samaras and Sumeyya Ilanbey on the Victorian Election
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Karen Andrews on the Medibank hack, visa scams, and winning back women voters
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Energy expert Bruce Mountain on what to do about the gas crisis
Politics with Michelle Grattan:Jim Chalmers, Angus Taylor and Danielle Wood on the budget
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Rod Sims on tax reform and the gas price crisis
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Bill Shorten on NDIS reform and the Optus fallout
Politics with Michelle Grattan: Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on the National Anti-Corruption Commission
Ukraine ambassador urges Australian embassy in Kyiv to reopen ASAP
Professor Joseph Ibrahim on COVID in aged care - and the end of nursing homes
Simon Holmes à Court on ’community candidates’ and two state elections
Treasurer Chalmers on boosting migration and a ’resilience’ budget
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free