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Artwork for The Westminster Tradition

The Westminster Tradition

The Westminster Tradition
Robodebt
Public Service
Robodebt Royal Commission
Public Policy
Universal Credit
Oakden Aged Care Scandal
Welfare Reform
Horizon IT System
Australian Public Service
Post Office Scandal
Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
Royal Commission
Accountability
Public Service Reform
Mad Cow Disease
Public Administration
Mental Health
Public Sector Recruitment
Centrelink
National Anti-Corruption Commission

Unpacking lessons for the public service, starting with the Robodebt Royal Commission. In 2019, after three years, Robodebt was found to be unlawful. The Royal Commission process found it was also immoral and wildly inaccurate.

Ultimately the Australian Government was forced to pay $1.8bn back to more than 470,000 Australians.

In this podcast we dive deep into public policy failures like Robodeb... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes78Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HistoryGovernment

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Artwork for The Westminster Tradition

Latest Episodes

A new hypothetical scenario, this time from the big smoosh of middle management.

Imagine if... your Minister has announced a 15-day processing target, your team is already drowning, there's no cutting corners, and there's no extra resourcing. 

In t... more

YouTube

How public can public servants be in the social media age? Is having a LinkedIn account a professional necessity, or a professional risk?

In this episode, Danielle, Alison and Caroline unpack the history, rules and realities of what public servants ... more

YouTube

In her first interview since the release of the NACC’s report into Robodebt, Deputy Commissioner Kylie Kilgour joins us to unpack her findings and what it all means for the public service. This is a rare chance to go beyond the written report with ca... more

YouTube

On 11 March, the National Anti-Corruption Commission released its findings on Robodebt. It found that two of the six referred public servants engaged in serious corrupt conduct, and four did not. 

Caroline, Alison and Danielle discuss three things: ... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Caroline Crozaballo
Fellow recovering public servant, contributor to the discussion
Episode: Seen and not heard
Kylie Kilgour
Deputy Commissioner of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC)
Episode: Kylie Kilgour, Deputy Commissioner at the NACC: On Robodebt
Salli Cohen
Policy strategist, storyteller, and author of Rollercoaster: How to be a Bloody Good Policy Officer
Policy Room
Episode: What Makes a Bloody Good Policy Officer?
Tom Loosemore
Founder of Public Digital and significant contributor to the UK’s digital transformation in public services.
Public Digital
Episode: Tom Loosemore: behind the scenes of the Universal Credit Reset
Amanda Vanstone
Former Australian Minister with extensive experience in Federal Parliament
Formerly in Cabinet roles across multiple departments including education and immigration
Episode: The Vanstone Files: Unpacking Ministerial Power
The Honorable Amanda Vanstone AO
Former Senator and managing director at Good Government Advisory
Episode: The Hon Amanda Vanstone AO - Inside the Westminster Machine
Mike Kaiser
Former Director General of the Department of Premier and Cabinet in Queensland
Good Government Advisory
Episode: Ask a Secretary! Mike Kaiser (former) head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet (Qld)
John Hill
Former South Australian Minister and author of 'On Being a Minister.'
University of South Australia
Episode: The Hon John Hill, on being a Minister
Andrew Podger AO
Former Secretary in the Commonwealth and Commissioner of the Australian Public Service, now an Honorary Professor of Public Policy at ANU
Australian National University
Episode: Andrew Podger AO: Is Thodey public sector reform on Steroids or Valium?

Hosts

Alison Lloyd-Wright
Host with a leadership role in public service-focused discussions; appears across many episodes.
Danielle Elston
Co-host and recurring host with a focus on public service discussions and governance topics.
Caroline Crozaballo
Co-host and regular participant in policy-focused conversations on Westminster-style governance.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 198 ratings
  • Always provides an ‘ah ha’ moment

    Such a great podcast by three very intelligent and articulate humans. While I get so much from each episode as a public servant there is something for everyone.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tschranz26
    Australia2 months ago
  • The best insights about the public servant

    This is the best podcast about the Australian public service. As a serial bouncer in and out of the service, serving the public is in my genes. I find myself nodding along to everything you say. This is a must listen for anyone - from those just starting, to those who can’t remember when they started, or those who are thinking about a career change and wondering how the mysterious beast works. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Serial Recovering PS
    Australia6 months ago
  • New format 👌

    Omg I love Normal Gossip and I love you guys adopting their approach - and love your work always ❤️

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SabdhaC
    Australia7 months ago
  • Amazing

    One of the finest podcasts I have listened to in modern times. Is an institution of democracy. Ms Eliston is a fine artist and an asset to our public service and our nation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Harry M L
    Australia8 months ago
  • Essential listen for public servants

    This is a great podcast which digs into the details of government failures. So so much resonated with me. The honesty of watching while others pull back the curtain is so affirming.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Canadianstarrynight
    Canadaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Essential listen for public servants
Junior burger gratitude
Lessons on how NOT to manage a govt dept
Insightful, entertaining and terrifying
New format 👌
Amazing
Great public service podcast!
The best insights about the public servant
Always provides an 'ah ha' moment
Clear-eyed walk-thru of Robodebt debacle
What a great listen
Very valuable

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#111
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#6
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#26
New Zealand/Government
Apple Podcasts
#109
Denmark/Government
Apple Podcasts
#193
Finland/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Regulator/policy cage fight: ANZSOG National Regulators Community of Practice Conference 2025
Q: How do you prevent policy areas overreaching and looking to dictate how you regulate?
Encouraging partnership and communication between regulators and policymakers is essential to prevent overreach.
Regulator/policy cage fight: ANZSOG National Regulators Community of Practice Conference 2025
Q: In a cage fight, who would win? Regulators or policy makers?
It's a humorous comparison, suggesting a competitive dynamic, but highlights the need for collaboration.
The Hon Tom Koutsantonis MP: Lessons from a Veteran Minister
Q: How did you become a policy nerd with the patience for that kind of complex multi inputs?
Koutsantonis explained that he had to work in the roles he was given and grow within the Labour Party framework, which influenced his development into a more policy-oriented figure.
Oakden aged care scandal part 3 - “Boss on the floor” … or, how bad things stayed secret
Q: What was the outcome of Barbara Spriggs' complaints about her husband’s treatment?
Her persistent advocacy led to significant scrutiny of Oakden, resulting in an investigation and eventual closure of the aged care facility due to the abuse uncovered.
Oakden aged care scandal part 3 - “Boss on the floor” … or, how bad things stayed secret
Q: How did the culture of secrecy at Oakden affect the care provided to residents?
The secrecy allowed staff to engage in neglectful practices, such as ignoring distressed residents, under the guise of keeping operations under control from higher management's scrutiny.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
Household Income
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Westminster Tradition

What is The Westminster Tradition about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rigorous, issue-focused show that analyzes public policy failures and government accountability through case studies like Robodebt and the Post Office scandal. Episodes blend historical context with practical governance lessons, exploring how complex decisions unravel, the culture that enables poor outcomes, and how reform can take shape within public service. The format tends toward thoughtful panel discussions with seasoned public servants, policy experts, and sometimes guests who lived the issues, delivering actionable takeaways for listeners in government, journalism, or PR.

Notable strengths include a candid, no-nonsense approach to governance failures, a willingness to tackle uncomfortable topics, and a consistent emphasis on syste... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Westminster Tradition?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Westminster Tradition:

1. Chat 10 Looks 3
2. Grattan Institute
3. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
4. Australian Politics
5. Democracy Sausage with Mark Kenny

How many episodes of The Westminster Tradition are there?

The Westminster Tradition launched 3 years ago and published 78 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Westminster Tradition?

Recent guests on The Westminster Tradition include:

1. Caroline Crozaballo
2. Kylie Kilgour
3. Salli Cohen
4. Tom Loosemore
5. Amanda Vanstone
6. The Honorable Amanda Vanstone AO
7. Mike Kaiser
8. John Hill

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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