Secretaries Board communique: 18 February 2026
Strategic Outlook
The Board discussed government priorities, strategic issues and emerging risks.
The Board received an economic and budget update from Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary, Department of the Treasury, and Mr Matt Yannopoulos PSM, Secretary, Department of Finance.
Rapid review of prevention approaches: Australian Government implementation update - 20 February 2026
Information on this page was first published on 30 October 2025, with further information published on 20 February 2026 to reflect key updates, including the launch of Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices.
The Australian Government established an expert panel to undertake a Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches (Rapid Review) to build on and accelerate the considerable work underway under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 (the National Plan).
Women and Women’s Safety Ministerial Council and Community Services Ministers communique: 20 February 2026
On Friday 20 February 2026, the Women and Women’s Safety Ministerial Council and Community Services Ministers came together in a joint meeting for the first time. Ministers met to discuss accelerating urgent work to reduce the number of children experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV) and change the trajectory of the rates of children and young people at risk of entering out-of-home care (OOHC) around the country. Ministers also discussed the importance of gender and economic equality for advancing women and children’s safety.
Senate Order on Entity Contracts 2025 Calendar Year
Pursuant to the Senate Order on Entity Contracts, the following table sets out contracts entered into by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which provide for a consideration to the value of $100,000 or more (GST inclusive) that have:
Response to Senate Order 16: Departmental and agency grants - February 2026
Prime Minister and Cabinet Portfolio1
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Nil
Australian National Audit Office
Nil
Instrument of appointment of Mr Simon Duggan
Public Service (Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations) Appointment 2026
I, the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and under subsection 58(1) of the Public Service Act 1999, appoint Mr Simon Duggan as the Secretary of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations for a period of five years commencing on 16 February 2026.
Dated 5 February 2026
[Signature of Sam Mostyn AC]
Sam Mostyn AC
Governor-General
Response to Senate Order 15: Departmental and agency appointments and vacancies - February 2026
Prime Minister and Cabinet Portfolio1
Appointments
Australian Bravery Decorations Council
| Name | Position | Term | Remuneration | State/Territory |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mr. |
Gender Balance on Government Boards – 2024–25 Annual Report
Each year, the Office for Women reports on the representation of women on Australian Government Boards.
Results for 2024–25 reflect achievements and areas for improvement across 4 key targets:
Target 1 requires women to hold 50% of all Australian Government board positions, which has been achieved for the fourth consecutive year, with women holding 54.3% of roles on Australian Government boards.
Timor-Leste visit
From 28 to 29 January, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese undertook his first official visit to Timor-Leste as Prime Minister. During the visit, he met with His Excellency President Dr José Ramos-Horta and His Excellency Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão.The Prime Minister also addressed the Parliament of Timor-Leste.