Dr Steven Kennedy PSM presented the 2025 Freebairn Public Lecture at the University of Melbourne, on Tuesday 11 October 2025.
Australia is fortunate: trust in our government is relatively high and our public institutions remain remarkably strong. But with democracy under increasing pressure worldwide, we must be willing to ask important questions about whether our system is in the right shape to meet this current moment, including the public service.
From federation to today, the responsibilities of the Commonwealth have substantially grown. What is done with this responsibility matters deeply - perhaps now more than ever.
Watch the full video below to learn more about how governance and trust have shaped Australia’s public institutions.
About the speaker
Dr Steven Kennedy PSM commenced as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in June 2025.
Steven was previously Secretary to the Treasury between September 2019 and June 2025. Prior to this, Steven was Secretary of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development between September 2017 and August 2019.
In a public service career spanning more than 30 years, Steven has held a series of other senior positions. These include Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; Deputy Secretary at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science; Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Environment; Deputy Secretary at the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, and the Head of Secretariat of the Garnaut Climate Change Review.
Steven’s first role in the Australian Public Service came in 1992 as a cadet at the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Before this, he trained and worked as a nurse. Steven was awarded a Public Service Medal in 2016 for outstanding public service in the area of climate change policy.
Steven holds a PhD and a Master of Economics from the Australian National University, and a Bachelor of Economics (First Class Honours) from the University of Sydney.
About the lecture series
The Freebairn Lecture series is named after Emeritus Professor John Freebairn, former holder of the Ritchie Chair in Economics here at the University of Melbourne, in recognition of his many significant contributions to economic research, public policy (and most especially taxation reform), and education. With degrees from the University of New England and the University of California, Davis, Professor Freebairn's academic journey has spanned several institutions, including La Trobe University, and Monash University.
Professor Freebairn has collaborated with policymakers at various levels of government to reform taxation systems that balance efficiency, equity, and revenue generation. His extensive research has informed significant reforms, including proposals to replace inefficient state taxes and close loopholes in the income tax system.
The Freebairn Lecture honours his impact on Australian economics and public policy, while serving as a forum for discussion about the future of economic reform in Australia.