australian television information archive

The Buck Stops Where?

Episode 5.01 (33)
Wed, June 07, 2023
607,000 viewers (7th)
Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Directed by Rob Sitch

The fifth season of the award-winning series sees the beleaguered staff of the Nation Building Authority still trying to get the job done in the face of endless backflips, government interference and ever-shifting priorities. C.E.O. Tony Woodford and his loyal staff are forced to deal with project management teams interested only in talking points. Billion dollars projects announced without a business case or cost-benefit study. Shifting geo-political priorities. Rural road construction held up by a problematic statue. Cyber-attacks and an embarrassing UNESCO report.

The beleaguered staff of the Nation Building Authority are still trying to get the job done in the face of endless backflips, government interference and ever-shifting priorities.

Starring: Rob Sitch as Tony, Celia Pacquola as Nat, Anthony Lehmann as Jim, Dave Lawson as Scott, Kitty Flanagan as Rhonda, Emma Louise Wilson as Katie, Dilruk Jayasinha as Ashan, Nina Oyama as Courtney

With: Jamie Robertson as Brian, Rebecca Massey as Beverly, Steve Bastoni as Minister Assisting, Mike McLeish as Minister Brad Harper, Gregory Caine as Chief of Staff, Syd Brisbane as Foreman [Craig], Yesse Spence as Rina, Chris Broadstock as Theo, Arishia Bordbar as Dianne, Claire Chihimbakwe as Stop/Go Person, Paul De Freitas as Older Minister, Christopher Farrell as TVC Guy; Raf Epstein, Annie Maynard, Nick McCallum & Sacha Payne as Voice Overs

Grand Designs

Episode 5.02 (34)
June 14, 2023
Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Directed by Rob Sitch

Tony cops media heat for a solar scheme with poor public uptake, and a completed bypass is held up from opening due to some signage for a problematic monument.

With: Jamie Robertson as Brian, Grant Piro as Patrick, Greg Stone as Historian, Lin Yin as Heritage Officer, Yesse Spence as Rina, Odette Hacker as Hannah; Todd Levi, Steph Teitelbaum & Jo Van Es as Voice Overs

The Promise Land

Episode 5.03 (35)
June 21, 2023
Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Directed by Rob Sitch

The Government stalls on an election promise of the NBA moving to independent status and the office undergoes workplace respect training, complicating a prospective romance between Nat and a visiting consultant. Tony’s forced to participate in a photoshoot after making the AFR’s Power List.

With: Jamie Robertson as Brian, Rebecca Massey as Beverly, Matthew McFarlane as Jonathan, Gillian Cosgriff as Journalist, Matthew Whitty as Photographer, Lawrence Fildes as Fisherman, Tom Gleisner as Prime Minister's Voice

Tunnel Vision

Episode 5.04 (36)
June 28, 2023
Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Directed by Rob Sitch

Jim ups security measures while trying to sway the outcome of tenders for an international partnership. Nat is infuriated by her new assistant who has her sights set on greater heights. The office is challenged on green energy initiatives.

With: Jamie Robertson as Brian, Rebecca Massey as Beverly, Shabazna Azeez as Carla, Mike McLeish as Minister Brad Harper, Gregory Caine as Chief of Staff, Hannah Ogawa as Grace, Harry Prior as Jai, Atricia Bodhiwan as Tara, Hamish Johnston as Brendan, Nick Farnell as Brigadier, Stephen Lopez as Jose, Tamara Oudyn as Voice Over, Daniel Robbins as Voice Over

Lights, Camera, Inaction

Episode 5.05 (37)
July 05, 2023
Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Directed by Rob Sitch

Tony is frozen out by the Minister when he's reluctant to announce an ambitious new project. The NBA comes under scrutiny by UNESCO over the Great Barrier Reef's endangerment status. Meanwhile, Scott starts an NBA TikTok account, and the Diversity and Inclusion team identify a potential issue with Tony’s office artwork.

With: Jamie Robertson as Brian, Mike McLeish as Minister Brad Harper, Gregory Caine as Chief of Staff, Jackson Tozer as Reef Ranger, Katherine Tonkin as Linda, Kristof Kaczmarek as Olaf Olafsen, Finn McGrath as TikTok Activist, Loivia Brito as Amelia, Summer Hamilton as Amanda, Angela Bishop as Herself, Tristan McManus as Himself, Lee Perry as Voice Over, Annie Maynard as Voice Over

Story Time

Episode 5.06 (38)
July 12, 2023
Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Directed by Rob Sitch

Jim and Rhonda force Tony to fast track a long-term regional rail project. Nat goes the wrong kind of viral for a problematic photo. Ash investigates a recurring charge on the company account, while adjusting to his new e-scooter.

With: Jamie Robertson as Brian, Rebecca Massey as Beverly, Mike McLeish as Minister Brad Harper, Gregory Caine as Chief of Staff, Nick Simpson-Deeks as Bryce, Ian Bliss as Doug, Annie Lumsden as Nurse, Pia Gould as Credit Person (voice), Jude Beaumont as National Food Holdings (voice), Verity Higgins as Motorist, Danny Matier as Motorist, Carrie Moczynski as Motorist, Natalia Nespeca as Journalist, The Jazz Jokers as Themselves, Todd Levi as Voiceover, Annie Maynard as Voiceover [Jill], Jo Van Es as Voiceover

Frequently Avoided Questions

Episode 5.07 (39)
July 19, 2023
Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Directed by Rob Sitch

A security consultant creates stress by leveling up the NBA's cyber safety. Nat faces the consequences of an inept employee. Jim lumps Tony with responding to a freight report the Minister's failed to act upon in the leadup to the anniversary of its publication.

With: Jamie Robertson as Brian, Rebecca Massey as Beverly, Mike McLeish as Minister Brad Harper, Gregory Caine as Chief of Staff, Julia Frew as Abbie, Arka Das as Ravi, Ben Anderson as Peter, Hannah Bath as Claire

Wide Awoke

Episode 5.08 (40)
July 26, 2023
504,000 viewers (8th)
Written by Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Rob Sitch
Directed by Rob Sitch

Nat and Ash work on who owns the title on an historic project. Tony's important presentation is derailed by Rhonda's insistence that the office undergoes an E.S.G pulse check. Brian works on securing the building.

With: Jamie Robertson as Brian, Lin Yin as Monique, Mike McLeish as Minister Brad Harper, Gregory Caine as Chief of Staff, Denis Moore as Dev, Fiona Macleod as Bettina, Cazz Bainbridge as Petra, Kaivu Suvarna as Stuart, Natalie Bond as Kirsty, Fiona Stewart as Librarian, Van Athanassiou as Finance Official, Marty Rhone as Museum Attendant