Government (previous quotes now in a PDF file)

Wayfinding enabling proactive interaction
High Country Collective will facilitate the delivery of world class Interpretation, Identity and Wayfinding enabling proactive interaction with users and potential users of the trail and its interconnection ...
  
The suite of deliverables for Rail Trail Phase 2 includes:

• Brand revitalisation...

• A detailed plan for benchmark interpretive, wayfinding, stay/eat/do and safety signs, online information hubs, rail trail furniture (think seats and tables, bike racks, horse tie-ups and more) and detailed construction and installation specifics.  The sign plan will include full digital integration with web, mobile, social media and interactive mapping...

The ‘construction phase’ of the Goulburn River High Country Rail Trail is complete. Phase 2 work includes a revitalised name, look and brand to help this community asset become an iconic Rail Trail experience.' Mansfield Shire, Victoria. Thanks to Wendy Garrett.

Greater synergies
'I am confident that these new arrangements will see functions aligned with and supported by like functions and provide future opportunities for us to achieve greater synergies across the services we deliver.' From the director general of Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Queensland

Minister for Healthy Lifestyles, NSW, Australia.

Core Competency Framework
'The Core Competency Framework does not define our technical roles and accountabilities, nor does it include the technical skills necessary to do our jobs. These are found in the Professional/Technical Competency Frameworks ... Although there is some read across to the job grading guidance to facilitate the differentiation in the application of people management tools, none of the levels corresponds directly to a grade or payband.' UK Department for International Development. Thanks to George O'Farrell.

Event key issues
'In 70 per cent of adverse events [usually harmful and preventable errors], communication was a key issue in that event occurring.' Chief executive of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health, The Age, 'Patients urged to check medical records after errors havoc', 1 February, 2013.

Calling all stakeholders
'To help us achieve this goal, it is important that we are able to explain our purpose to all our stakeholders. Therefore, to help us focus on what the community may expect from the Department of Community Safety, I would welcome your feedback on the following working definition for our department:

"Community safety enables citizens to go about their daily lives with relative confidence in their own safety and the safety of their community”. Director General of the Queensland Department of Community Safety. Thanks to John.

Ramping up capability enhancements and outcomes
'This has been another highly successful year of operation for DMTC. We are continuing to build on the strength of the DMTC model that is centred on the cost efficient enhancement of Australian defence industry capability and competitiveness. We are now seeing our capability enhancements deployed within our industry participants which are finding additional applications for technology transfer to other platforms. The collaborative partnerships that DMTC has formed are resulting in stronger Australian supply chains with many SMEs gaining direct and ongoing access to larger organisations and Primes.

‘Personnel Survivability’ has commenced and has rapidly ramped up into full operation.
The new program is operating under an enhanced structure to ensure effective integration with the Diggerworks adaptive acquisition model. Expanding to accommodate this activity has demonstrated the flexibility in the DMTC model to accommodate additional programs and further assist Defence and industry in faster technology advancement and progress within Australia.' Chair, Defence Materials Technology Centre (DMTC)

Mandated to source
'Commencing on 27 November 2012, a new across government panel contract for the provision of audit and financial advisory services will be launched. A panel of seven suppliers have been appointed to the new contract for the provision of audit and financial advisory services in accordance with a range of audit and financial advisory services. All state government agencies and public authorities located within the metropolitan area are mandated to source audit services through the contracted suppliers. The financial advisory services will be made available on an optional basis, and is not mandated to customers. Agencies located in regional areas are not mandated to use the contract and have the choice of using the contract or local service providers. Schools are also not mandated to use the contract and may continue to utilise existing audit arrangements in place. However, use of the contract is encouraged as some suppliers have statewide networks through which additional benefits may be available.' Thanks to Nicola Stratford
who is still not sure what it means.

Reform in Indonesia
'Bureaucratic Reform is the process of rearranging the bureaucracy from the very top to the very bottom and making new breakthroughs in steps that are staged, concrete, realistic, earnest, thinking out of the existing usual, change of paradigm, and with extraordinary effort.' Thanks to Owen Podger for the quote and translation.

Disbenefits
'A full economic evaluation of the [Metro] proposal was carried out, which showed the reliability benefits were not justified given the cost and passenger disbenefits.' Former director of public transport Hector McKenzie. The Age, 26 November 2012. Thanks to Judith Loriente.

Client service officers
Guards at Nauru refugee detention centre.

Separation assurance
'There was no breakdown of separation standards. However a loss of separation assurance occurred.' Australian Transport Safety Bureau commenting on the near-miss of two Qantas planes over Darwin last week. The Age, 10 October, 2012. Thanks to Liz Bower.

Separated and dis-established
'We had something like 44 separations as of the first of July, 2012  and we will have something of the order of 30 positions dis-established and we expect that that will mean... real losses of capacity.' Crime and Misconduct Commission (Queensland) Chairman Ross Martin. He later clarified his answer to say the 30 disestablished positions were included in the 44 separations. Thanks to Jenny.

Selling the KPIs
'The Strategy will be in the CEO's KPIs. It will be embedded throughout all Council departments ... The Heritage Officer will sell the Strategy to Council staff...' Mt. Alexander Shire Mayor commenting on the Heritage Strategy 2012-1016.

Action...
'DSE has also developed the Actions for Biodiversity Conservation (ABC) system in which the actions in Action Statements are stored. Responsibility for undertaking actions are recorded and priorities for action set.' Thanks to Scott O'Keeffe who thinks this means: 'A sacked Queensland public servant has found a job in the Victorian public service.'

'Our strategy as a content in this landscape is built on innovating, collaborating, creating and connecting with people. Our success in driving it will need confidence, expertise and generosity of spirit as we face inevitable change.' ABC Head of Radio to staff. Thanks to anonymous.

In-built functional compartments
What the NSW call pockets in their Uniform Project Information Bulletin to Staff, 2 July 2012. Thanks to DJ Lenane.

Superior goods
What economists, including Australian Treasury secretary Martin Parkinson, call healthcare, aged care, disability assistance, education and social welfare.

Irregular maritime arrivals
According to Sandi Logan from the Department of Immigration, refugees in boats are IMAs.

intricacies, complexities and interdependencies
'No one outside of the entities working on the project fully understand the intricacies, complexities and interdependencies that exist with regard to installing a new ticketing system while also having to operate an existing ticketing system alongside it.' Victorian Transport Ticketing Authority chief, Bernie Carolan. The Age, 4 April 2012.

Demolishing silos
'DAFF Realignment & Biosecurity Reform: X reinforced the message about risk return with a focus on risk based targeting, operating across the Biosecurity continuum, working in partnership with stakeholders, being intelligence led and evidence based and supported by modern legislation, ICT and sustainable funding. X also talked about the need for the department to re-align our organisational structure to break down ‘silos' and for program areas to think across the entire business.' Email from a senior manager a week after the Department ran several sessions of a course: 'Writing well using plain English'. Managers above a certain level weren't required to do the course. Thanks again to Karl Hellbusch.

Cooperative subjective status or how to treat a refugee according to Serco
'The "control and restraint" techniques included in the 2009 training course manual recommends the use of "pain" to defend, subdue and control asylum seekers through straight punches, palm heel strikes, side angle kicks, front thrust kicks and knee strikes.

"Subdue the subject using reasonable force so that he/she is no longer in the assailant category", it explains. "If justified, necessary force is to be used to bring the subject to cooperative subjective status whereupon they respond favourably to verbalisation."

Under a section headed "principles in controlling Resistive Behaviour", guards are told to cause pain, stun, distract, unbalance and use "striking technique" to cause "motor dysfunction".

Guards are told to target specific "pressure points" in the manner of riot squad police to squeeze nerves as " a valuable subject control option". "They enhance your ability, to compel compliance from unco-operative subjects," it explains. The "expected effect" is "medium to high level pain".

In one instance, guards are taught to attack detainees' jugulars to cause them to fall over. In another, they are told to employ a "downward kick" to the "lower shin" to cause "high level of pain and mental stunning" lasting up to seven seconds.

Batons are a useful weapon for guards to cause "medium to high tensity [sic] pain" and "forearm muscle cramping". "Strikes should be delivered by a hammer fist," it says.' From The 400-page, illustrated 2010 and 2009 Serco induction training documents published by Crikey. Serco is the company that the Australian Government pays to run immigration detention centres Thanks to Jim Ife.

Innovative underpinning person-centred embedding roadmap
1. The focus of the Roadmap is systemic and outcomes oriented.....
2. ....investments are focused appropriately to deliver the best
possible outcomes....
3. ..to harness the opportunities..
4..... to develop and implement innovative solutions
5....Guided by a series of underpinning principles
6...key directions for change
7.. enablers of reform
8..The Roadmap identifies a range of priority actions under each of
these key directions..
9.. build mental health literacy
10. Utilise existing evidence...
11...to embed the concept of early intervention as core business.
12..A person-centred approach
13.. systematically embedding participation throughout the sector
Draft Ten Year Roadmap for Nationa Mental Health Reform, Australian Government. Thanks to Peter W Anson

Continuously reviewing re-alignment
'The Department of Defence engages in a continuous review of the optimal locations to assign defence attaches. The continuous review process seeks to re-align the positioning of a finite resource to the competing demands of a dynamic international environment.' Spokeswoman for the Australian Department of Defence. The Australian, 7 February, 2012. Thanks to Roy Stall.

The full scope of work required is to prepare and, once approved, implement a Planning Strategy that:
· efficiently leverages past planning processes and related decisions
· integrates the contributions and services of the technical specialists
· utilises the BCRG as an important link between the GCWSC and the broader stakeholder community and a forum for discussing information and community views throughout the development of the Masterplan
· provides a clear plan for partnering with the C&SE consultant, as well as the PMT (including other technical consultancies) and the GCWSC (including working groups)
· provides flexibility during the Masterplan preparation to incorporate stakeholder feedback and BCRG recommendations
· promotes the GCWSC's role in overseeing the Masterplan and the shared management of the Broadwater
· creates an accessible point of truth for issues and opportunities facing the Broadwater, economically, ecologically and socially
· delivers a Masterplan that is accepted as the definitive guide for effective and sustainable management, planning and development of the Broadwater and utilises approaches that make it robust and enduring .
Strategically, success may be best served by a segmented approach designed to initially establish broad support for one alternative or direction, and subsequently employ other processes to explore options.
The Successful Offeror is to prepare, implement and deliver a methodology that coordinates the contributions of the BCRG, the C&SE consultant and technical specialists towards the production of a Masterplan that provides a definitive guide for waterway and land use management and development in the project area, provides confidence to the community about the future, supports investment by both government and the private sector, and adopts approaches that make it robust and enduring. Broadwater Master Plan (Qld)- Department of Transport and Main Roads. Thanks to anonymous.

'We will review the risk signage at the site ... We consult with stakeholders at the end of each season'. Parks Victoria ranger Frank Gleeson after a woman drowned at a beach in Victoria. The Age, 24 January 2012.

Pillars of impact
'Each objective under each pillar has been assessed on the basis of whether or not it would impact the other pillars as described in the Action Plan. For example under the Economic Pillar, when we manage growth and use land wisely it would impact not just the Economic Pillar but also the other four pillars by contributing to assessment growth (Financial), a high quality and safe living environment (Social), natural habitat preservation (Environment) and wise decisions with public input (Governance).' From Oshawa City's strategic plan. DurhamRegion.com, 26 January, 2012.

Mobile Presentation Attendant - what Queensland Rail calls a cleaner. Thanks to Sara Brewer

CenITex Security Bulletin: Beware of malicious emails circulating with 'Strategic Planning' as the subject matter
CenITex advises that malicious email messages are currently being sent to Australian Government agencies with themes relating to "Strategic Planning". The emails are well crafted and appear to be from the webmail accounts of senior Australian Government personnel. Thanks to Nicole.

'The integration of enabling services provided the opportunity to review the Centrelink strategic committee framework in the broader context of portfolio responsibilities.'

'The Workforce Renewal Incentive Program enables each agency to review its organisational profile, and to make judgments about which areas would benefit from workforce renewal, by offering a financial incentive to employees or groups of employees to voluntarily leave the State Service.

The program is not a redundancy program and consequently does not involve the abolition of positions. It provides the ability to import new skills and capabilities into the workforce.' Department of Premier and Cabinet, Tasmania.

'The Department of Education and Training requires the services of a firm with expertise in Business Intelligence (BI) to develop a 5 year strategic road map/plan. The road map/plan will be used to implement a BI capability framework to meet the vision “To drive learning productivity”.' Queensland Department of Education tender summary of what they are hoping prospective tenders will be able to provide. Thanks Steve.

"Social impact bonds" are a coalition scheme where private investors put cash into solving social problems, then the government pays back the investors over time, supposedly on cash "saved" by the investment.' 'Trading in Humans, by Solomon Hughes, Morning Star, 21 October, 2011.

'BESTSELLING novelist Christos Tsiolkas has delivered a backhander to ABC management over plans to replace Radio National's The Book Show with a general culture program, describing the move as "a dumbing down, regardless of the doublespeak, evasions and weasel words used to cloak it".' The Australian, 21 September, 2011.

'With the end of the 'Malaysian solution' what is the best idea for asylum seeker processing going forward.' ABC The Drum poll, 1 Sept. 2011. Thanks to Trevor.

'A JUDGE has dismissed as ''corporate speak'' Victoria Police explanation that poor work practices were responsible for many investigators breaching basic legal principles by making unsworn affidavits.' The Age, 7 October, 2011.

'THE operating budget of Hobart's major public hospital is about to be sliced by $70 million $30 million more than disclosed by health officials in July ... "We don't want any more weasel words or spin. The time is up".' AMA Tasmanian John Davis quoted in an article in The Mercury, 5 August, 2011.

Elusive tri-saw fulcrum

'Trying to find agreement on the mission, vision and culture is I agree no easy task.  Sew-sawing - or Tri-sawing in this case - to reach a balance between the three; which may involve for one, stepping on the leaver points for the other two, or vice versa; searching for that centre, finding the fulcrum that is ever elusive.
The reality is that the fulcrum of any strategic plan, not just this one, constantly changes.  If you're aiming to achieve rhythmic harmony with the strategic plan as a fulcrum for the future, you may simply be setting yourself up to fail.
The unsavoury reality is that the fulcrum for this strategic plan, and many others, never really stabilise, entering an arrhythmic harmony; a harmony, with an irregular beat that is governed by the tides of the environment in which we work. Not quite right, but close enough, to work with the constantly moving tides.' A reply to a blog which outlined the 'Strategic Plan – Mission, Vision and Culture' on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry site. Thanks to Karl.

'"Officers brought the situation under control and the photographer was de-arrested and subsequently released."' Police invent a word for the false arrest of a photographer, Greenslade Blog, Guardian.co.uk, 14 June 2011.

'DVA is seeking an experienced manager with demonstrated experience in citizen centric personalised web-information services.' Found on the Australian Public Service jobs website. Thanks to David Markham.

'The ABC has a new information Communication and Technology (ICT) Strategy focussed on content sharing...
We will START...
Taking a proactive approach to communicating and collaborating on ICT trends that have cross ABC impacts
Ensuring that all impacted stakeholders are consulted during the initiation phase of projects...
Leveraging our vendors to ensure we get maximum value from our investment...
We will CONTINUE...
Becoming agile and flexible in order to respond to changes in audience needs...
Enhancing project methodologies to ensure we have "fit for purpose" approaches to all projects...
We will CHANGE...
Taking a short term and siloed approach to the design and implementation of ICT solutions...
Taking at times a "give birth and move on" approach to projects and underestimating the need for additional handover and benefits tracking activities...' Thanks to anonymous.

'Life was meant to be easy is a brand owned by the Moorabool community; Council simply facilitates its promotion on behalf of residents. The strength of this campaign lays in support from local business and community groups working together to promote a unified brand.'

Feds must stop writing gibberish under new law

Instead of this advice:

"Timely preparation, including structural and non-structural mitigation measures to avoid the impacts of severe winter weather, can avert heavy personal, business and government expenditures. Experts agree that the following measures can be effective in dealing with the challenges of severe winter weather."

Expect more like this advice:

"Severe winter weather can be extremely dangerous. Consider these safety tips to protect your property and yourself." Associated Press Washington.

Media alert 7 April 2011: Community Safety and Crime Prevention Partnership Plan Official Launch
The first Community Safety and Crime Prevention Partnership Plan for Macedon Ranges Shire will be officially launched in Gisborne next week.
The Plan was initiated by the Local Safety Committee with support from Macedon Ranges Shire Council and has been developed in partnership with key local agencies and communities. The Plan focuses on important and emerging areas and issues where the community can work together to enhance the happiness, health and safety of residents, visitors and workers in the Macedon Ranges Shire.
The Plan provides a set of over-arching areas of focus designed to link with established and new partnerships and initiatives that address current and emerging wellbeing and safety issues in the community. Thanks to anonymous.

Don Watson award?
'WHEN he's not doing battle against the burka, Liberal senator Cory Bernardi is doing his doughty bit to rescue the English language. Here he is in action Senate Estimates this week, chatting with Immigration Department officials about visa issues:

Official: "I was saying that we have a planning range: for example for 2009-10, it was around 50-55,000 for the family program. For partners, maybe less. Anyhow, we have a planning range within the migration program. . . . we have to operate within that planning range. We can't grant more visas than the government of the day accepts will be in the migration program as part of the family program."

Bernardi: "There's a cap on it?"

Official: "There is no cap and that's another issue that successive governments have not introduced any legal powers for the department to cap visas, especially in the partner category."

Bernardi: "Just to interrupt though, that if there's a planning range, that's got to put a cap on it, doesn't it? . . . I'm still struggling with the sophistry of: there is no cap but there is a planning range in which you're unable to go over."

Immigration Department secretary Andrew Metcalfe: "There is no cap within the legal definition of the Migration Act but in terms of normal language there is a planning limit which you might call a cap."

Bernardi: "Bureaucratic doublespeak."

Metcalfe: "It's very, very bureaucratic and I'm sorry, senator."

This surely warrants awarding Bernardi the Order of Don Watson.' James Jeffrey, The Australian, 24 Feb, 2011.

(previous quotes now in a PDF file)

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