Department of Human Services General Manager Sue Kruse was recently awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) at a ceremony at the Governor General’s residence.
In the six years Sue has worked for the department, she has overseen the implementation of eHealth and eClaiming initiatives and the design of the Welfare Payment Infrastructure Transformation (WPIT), one of the most significant digital projects in the government’s history.
This large-scale overhaul of the welfare payment system will streamline income support payments.
Sue’s focus is on transforming the way the department works, which will be key to ensuring the redesigned IT system continues to be responsive to the needs of the Australian community.
When she was asked to lead this part of the department’s business, Sue seized the opportunity.
“It’s exciting to be involved at a time of significant change in the way we assist our customers around the country,” Sue said.
According to Sue, her best career decision was to return to her hometown of Canberra to join the Australian Public Service after a 20-year career in the private sector, which included managing an importing business and a golf and residential resort.
Fifteen years on, Sue says she would never consider going back.
“The diversity of opportunities within the public service, as well as the incredible people you get to work with, never ceases to amaze me,” Sue said.
Sue has taken advantage of as many of these opportunities as possible across a range of departments, from working on environment, safety and security policy for the offshore oil and gas industry to delivering income support programs.
It has also taken her to Timor Leste to lead a team to build governance and regulatory capacity of the Timor Sea Designated Authority to transition the organisation into the Timor Leste bureaucracy.
Sue says she never expected to be awarded a Public Service Medal and feels incredibly humbled and proud.
“I have been very fortunate to have so many great people around me, who have trusted me and guided me,” Sue said.
“You have to be given these opportunities in order to succeed.”
© Irene Dowdy, idphoto.com.au 2016
