This report examines the problem of declining public trust from the perspective of a representative sample of federal public servants brought together to deliberate on the role they could play in the renewal of Australia’s democratic practice.

This report builds on a pioneering survey of almost 400 public servants in Australia and New Zealand, dozens of interviews with senior practitioners, and original research into how governments around the world are training public officials in innovative practices.

The report examines how co-design and deliberative engagements are rapidly changing the way governments around the world grapple with complex public policy problems.

Organisational memory loss impacts negatively on the performance of government agencies. It can lead to weaknesses in policy, service delivery and the craft of the public servant. By understanding its causes, public sector organisations can reduce memory loss.

This report provides recommendations for action to guide government sector leaders and provide concrete steps to encourage greater use of cloud, to help drive better agency and citizen outcomes.