Throughout her exceptional career, Rachael Andersen has maintained the view that 'the personal is political'.
After starting out as a social worker, Rachael diversified her career across university, government and not-for-profit sectors. Today, she holds the prominent position of Quit Director at the Cancer Council.
I met Rachael through a mutual colleague and was immediately struck by her passion and willingness to share her knowledge and experience with others.
She was kind enough to sit down and record this interview on how to engage with government departments and instigate real change.
Forging good relationships with people in Departments, along with Ministers, is crucial, Rachael says. As is having a 'no surprises' approach so that department officials are kept in the loop and can adequately brief Ministers on policy and potential solutions.
"Political advocacy is a really important lever, but I think equally important and perhaps misunderstood and under-appreciated is the relationships that people need to hold with departmental officials."
Rachael also talks about the importance of putting in key 'foundational work'.
"People need to be ready to act when those policy windows open... that unique period of time when you know that we can see a really clear public health challenge, or a challenge across society, and then there's political will to do something about it."
If you've put in the long-term work with departments, it enables you to respond quickly when a policy window opens, Rachael says.
You need to play the long game in policy and advocacy. And understand that incremental change is part of the process.
"Things don't happen quickly in departments, often it's slow change but it can be very big change."
"All the efforts that you're putting in, you might not be the one to reap the benefits of it, but you're actually starting – you're contributing to the greater good."
Listen to the full interview with Rachael for more of her insights.