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Linda Ward

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Principal Adviser

Macroeconomic Group

Australian Treasury

Public Policy Program ('03)

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Linda Ward is a senior executive in the International Policy and Engagement Division of Macroeconomic Group, having held this position since May 2016. Through its engagement with international financial institutions (IFIs), multilateral forums such as G20, and key bilateral partners, the Division aims to strengthen international economic and financial stability, promote global growth and sustainable development, and bolster bilateral relationships.

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Linda joined the Treasury in 2006 from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. During her time at Treasury she has held numerous roles in Revenue Group, Fiscal Group and Macroeconomic Group. Between 2010 and 2015 she was unit manager in a number of Treasury divisions: Commonwealth-State Relations Division; Infrastructure, Industry, Environment and Defence Division; and International Policy and Engagement Division.

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She also worked for two years as an economic adviser to the then Minister for Infrastructure. Prior to her current role, Linda spent a year working in BHP Billiton's Marketing office in Singapore as part of a secondment arrangement.

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Linda holds a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy and Finance from the University of Canberra, a Master of Public Policy degree from GRIPS, and a Bachelor of Economics (Honours) from the University of Sydney/University of Western Australia.

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Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

My career to date has been spent working in economic policy roles, largely within what are known as the 'central agencies' in the Australian Public Service (APS) - the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and Treasury.

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I've been very fortunate to have done a lot of exciting, varied work, ranging from designing tax cuts to advising on industry assistance; and now a more outward-looking role in international policy.

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The APS has a strong focus on staff development, so I've been able to take time out at certain points in my career for development opportunities. These include my study at GRIPS, as well as a role in a ministerial office and a secondment to the private sector. All of these experiences have allowed me to gain a better understanding of the different perspectives that feed into good policy advice.

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You are currently working as Senior Executive in the Treasury's International Policy and Engagement Division. What are your main roles and responsibilities?

The International Policy and Engagement Division of Macroeconomic Group aims to strengthen international economic and financial stability, promote global growth and sustainable development, and bolster bilateral relationships. It seeks to achieve this through its engagement with international financial institutions (IFIs), multilateral forums such as G20, and key bilateral partners.

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In my role, I oversee our work streams relating to the IMF and Multilateral Development Banks, as well as a lot of our bilateral engagement. This involves, among other things, representing Australia at a range of international meetings, such as a G20 working group; attending the IMF/World Bank Annual and Spring meetings; and participating in the annual policy dialogues that the Australian Treasury holds with a number of our counterparts in different countries.

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What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

The potential scope of work in international economic policy is huge. So, one of the big challenges is one of allocating our resources effectively - being alert to risks and opportunities and ensuring that we are well placed to respond.

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In terms of the highlights of my career, I still feel grateful that I ended up in a career that I enjoy and feel passionate about. There have been a number of times when I have felt that the work of my team influenced the direction of government policy - that has to be a highlight!

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However, it is the staffing side that stands out as having been the most rewarding. That is the aspect that gives most meaning to my work on a day-to-day basis.

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What led you to GSPS/GRIPS? What was the most important thing you learned while here, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavours?

I already had a connection to Japan before I studied at GRIPS so that sparked my interest in part - the opportunity to learn more about Japan and the chance to have access to senior academics and bureaucrats. However, it was probably the students that influenced me the most - the chance to study together with people from across the region.

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Even though it has been about 15 years since I studied at GRIPS, many of those classroom discussions still stick in my mind. They have really enhanced my understanding of public policy development in other countries and the different challenges we each face (as well as the similarities).

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Have you had any involvement, professional or otherwise, with Japan since your graduation?

On a personal level, I have continued to visit Japan roughly every 18 months since I was at GRIPS to visit friends and enjoy the Japanese lifestyle. Most recently, I visited in July and enjoyed the fireworks and summer festivals.

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Professionally, in my current role I regularly have the opportunity to meet with Japan's Ministry of Finance officials, including for our Annual Policy Dialogue. I have also had the opportunity to travel to Japan for official meetings.

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How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life?

I think that the work-life balance is a constant struggle - I'm not sure that I'll ever get it exactly right. However, I am fortunate that Treasury has a flexible work policy which allows me to balance the regular overseas work travel with the needs of my family. That has made a huge difference to my career.

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If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS what would it be?

I often get approached for advice about GRIPS by colleagues who are considering applying for the Young Leaders Program. My advice is always to go for it! It is a unique experience where they will learn a lot and get to know other officials from across the region. Like I said before, for me it is the diversity of the students at GRIPS - and those classroom conversations - that set it apart from other Graduate programs.

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