Deloitte: Complex public sector reform agenda

By Rob Starr, Content Manager, Big4.com

At a time when Australian state and Federal governments are tackling the biggest public sector reform agenda facing the country for more than a decade, professional services firm Deloitte has announced the appointment of two new public sector specialists.  Deloitte Public Sector leader, Andrew Johnstone-Burt said, “Along with other OECD governments around the world, Australia finds itself pressed between an increasingly connected and demanding citizen, and a decline in revenues for public service delivery.”

Fran Thorn, joins Deloitte with over a decade’s experience as Secretary or deputy secretary in the Victorian Government. Fran recently spent five years leading the separation and reform of the Departments of Human Services and Health in Victoria.

Joining Fran in Deloitte’s public sector team is David George who has over 25 years’ experience as an intelligence and national security professional.  David was instrumental in establishing Australia’s geospatial intelligence capability and, over the past ten years, has led capability reviews and organisational transformations within national intelligence agencies, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Customs & Border Protection Service.

Deloitte Public Sector leader, Andrew Johnstone-Burt said:

“The work Fran led to create a stand-alone Department of Health in Victoria and the design of the Victorian health system provided the blueprint for much of the new national health agenda,” said Mr Johnstone-Burt. “She brings with her a hugely valuable perspective on how to successfully design, build and manage a modern government department and service systems in Government that are efficient and responsive to community needs.”

Commenting on David’s appointment, Mr Johnstone-Burt said, “Our national security and intelligence organisations face the difficult challenge of managing an increasing operational tempo against a landscape of diminishing resources. New operating models are required to bridge capabilities in new ways and allow organisations to translate insights from “big data” into risk judgements and operational outcomes.”