The Public Sector Podcast: Public Affairs in the Age of AI

Episode Overview

In this compelling episode, Elliot Stein, Acting National Director of Corporate Affairs & Communications, St Vincent’s Health Australia, shares an inside look at how St Vincent’s Health Australia, the nation’s largest not-for-profit health and aged care provider, navigated a real-life cybersecurity incident—and why the organisation chose to respond through the prism of trust rather than risk.

Speaking candidly on his final day in the role, Elliot recounts the tense days of December 2023 when suspicious network activity was detected, leading to the discovery of a pre-ransomware attack. He reveals how decisive leadership, transparency, and collaboration with government agencies helped St Vincent’s turn a potential crisis into a case study in trusted response.

But this conversation goes beyond cybersecurity—it’s also a reflection on AI’s growing impact on public affairs, the irreplaceable value of human relationships, and how authenticity and trust will remain essential in an increasingly automated world.

Key Insights & Takeaways

1. Trust Over Risk
When crisis hits, organisations can choose to manage through risk or through trust. St Vincent’s opted for openness—going public early, even before all the details were known—to maintain credibility with patients, residents, staff, and government.

2. Partnership with Government Matters
From day one, St Vincent’s worked alongside the Department of Home Affairs and state health agencies. Having government “in the passenger seat, not outside the car critiquing your driving” was critical to ensuring alignment, support, and public confidence.

3. The Power of Proactive Communication
Elliot explains that in crisis communication, owning your narrative early is key. “It’s better to go public with a little,” he notes, “than to be caught out with a lot.” Transparency, consistency, and pace protect long-term reputation.

4. The Role of AI in Public Affairs
Reflecting on the rise of AI, Elliot highlights its potential to automate routine communication tasks—but cautions that human judgment, empathy, and relationships remain irreplaceable. “You can’t automate trust,” he reminds listeners.

5. Luck, Preparation, and Leadership
Though forensics later revealed that no personal or sensitive data was compromised, the real success lay in how St Vincent’s handled the unknown—with integrity, composure, and accountability.

Why You Should Listen

This episode offers an unfiltered look at crisis leadership in action—from cyber response and stakeholder management to balancing transparency with caution.

If you’re a communications leader, cybersecurity professional, or public sector executive, you’ll gain practical lessons in:

• Responding to cyber incidents with integrity

• Building trust across complex stakeholder networks

• Managing public communication under pressure

• Understanding the evolving role of AI in corporate affairs

🎧 Listen now to hear how one of Australia’s most respected healthcare organisations turned a cyber crisis into a masterclass on trust and leadership.