We recently asked Mr Mark Webb, Chief Executive, Department of Parliamentary Services, some questions about his work at the Parliament of NSW.
Here’s what he told us:
What is the role of the Chief Executive?
The Chief Executive runs the Department of Parliamentary Services, one of the three agencies that support the operation of the NSW Parliament. DPS provides all the enabling services for the Parliament as a whole, including typical corporate services (HR, Finance, IT etc) as well as some things that are a little more unique to the Parliament (for example Hansard, the Library/Research Service, our outreach and education programs, an award-winning restaurant amongst others). We also undertake major projects that support our built environment and technology platforms. It’s a wide-ranging role!
What kind of background / qualifications / attributes do you need to do your job?
People come to leadership positions through a wide variety of pathways. For me personally, my early career was in engineering and computer science, and I eventually found myself falling in love with public service. The engineer in me has an intense desire to solve problems, and my leadership journey started as a need to solve bigger and bigger ones. But I’ve worked with leaders from every conceivable background, and it isn’t qualifications or a particular position in society that makes for a great leadership career. In my experience, it is attributes like curiosity, a desire to serve, an ability to articulate a vision for the future and the practical skills to create an environment where people are motivated to make that vision become reality. If you have those attributes, then a successful leadership career could be in your future!
Could you describe a typical day leading the Department of Parliamentary Services?
I wish there was a typical day – it would make my life much more predictable! Every day brings something different, whether it is providing advice to members of parliament, making decisions about a major building project, appearing in front of a parliamentary committee, meeting with staff about any issue you could possibly think of, investigating a security concern, attending one of the many events and education opportunities we provide – the list goes on and on. But the common theme to all my days, typical or otherwise, is that I get to work with the best group of people, the staff of the department. And that gives me confidence that no matter what issues the day may throw at me, I’ve got the people around me to help get things done.
What do you love about working at Parliament House?
You don’t have to look far around the world to see that democracy is not a given. It has been the absolute privilege of my working life to be in a role that supports the bedrock of our system of government, which I believe is the finest democracy in the world. All of you that teach civics and citizenship know that feeling. You are also part of the front line championing our democracy, ensuring that our next generations not only understand the privileges that come from living in Australia, but also the responsibilities that come with those privileges.
What would you most like people to know about the NSW Parliament?
Firstly, that it is accessible. You can visit us here on Macquarie St, eat at our café or restaurant, go to your local electorate office, participate in an online event, attend when we do regional roadshows – there are so many ways in which you can engage with us. Secondly, that parliament is for the people of NSW. There are so many ways in which you can participate, whether it is engaging with your local member, signing a petition to be considered by the parliament, making a submission to a committee on a topic you are passionate about or following the debate on issues that you care about. And finally, that the parliament is here to champion democracy, as all of you are. Thank you for all you do for the students of NSW.
