EP#155: Part 2 - Managing Crises, Building Media Capability and A.I. in Service Delivery

In this episode of GovComms, we continue our conversation with Bevan Hannan, General Manager of the Communications Division at Services Australia.

Bevan delves into the complexities of government communication, drawing on his extensive experience to explore how crises like the Bali bombings have shaped public narratives and the role of media in managing these narratives.

Bevan reflects on the human aspects of communications and shares lessons learned from coordinating the government's response and supporting affected families. He explains how he strategically used media to maintain control over the public discourse and ensure sensitive handling of the aftermath.

The conversation also ventures into the future of communication in public service, particularly the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Bevan discusses the potential for AI to enhance service delivery and improve the accessibility and efficiency of government communications.

The episode takes a reflective turn as he addresses the Robodebt scandal, considering its impact on public trust and the essential role of integrity in government communications.

Stream the episode on Spotify:

Watch this episode on YouTube:

Discussed in this episode:

• Managing the Bali bombing response and supporting victims' families during anniversaries.
• Strategies for controlling media presence, advantages of online corrections over traditional media.
• Potential of AI to revolutionise service delivery and enhance content accessibility.
• Impact on public trust, lessons learned, and the importance of integrity in communications.

Show notes:

• Bevan Hannan | LinkedIn