Secretaries Board communique: 21 October 2026
The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.
Auditor-General update
The Board received an update from Dr Caralee McLiesh PSM, Auditor-General, on the work of the Australian National Audit Office.
High Risk Weather Season
The Board received an update from Pat Hetherington, Interim Coordinator-General, National Emergency Management Agency on preparations for the Higher Risk Weather Season.
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Annual Report 2025-26
It has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act), the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 (PGPA Rule) and the Department of Finance Resource Management Guide No 135. The compliance index in Part 5 lists the information required by the PGPA Act and PGPA Rule and the corresponding page number within this report.
Report on legal services expenditure 2025-26
This is a statement of legal services expenditure by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for the 2025-26 financial year, published in accordance with paragraph 109(1)(d) of the Legal Services Directions 2025. All figures are GST exclusive.
Total legal services expenditure was $2,280,671. This comprised:
The PM&C Annual Report 2025–26 is now available
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet's Annual Report 2025–26 is now available.
The report outlines PM&C’s activities, performance and achievements against the 3 key activities outlined in our Corporate Plan 2025–26:
State Memorial Service for the Honourable Neil Andrew AO
A State Memorial Service will be held for the Honourable Neil Andrew AO at Pilgrim Uniting Church, 12 Flinders Street, Adelaide on Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 2:00 pm.
Mr Andrew served in the House of Representatives from 1983 to 2004, representing the electorate of Wakefield in South Australia for the Liberal Party. He became the 24th Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1998 to 2004. Mr Andrew retired in 2004.
Research on flexible work points the way to equality
A team of leading researchers has released research on the benefits of flexible work to drive gender equality and benefit Australia’s people, businesses and economy.
Instrument of appointment of Mr Simon Draper PSM
Public Service (Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources) 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 Draper PSM as the Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources for a period of five years commencing on 6 October 2026.
Dated 6 August 2026
[Signature of Sam Mostyn AC]
Sam Mostyn AC
Governor-General
Rapid review into Australian Government arrangements for an AI-driven cyber incident
On 24 September 2026, the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, announced a rapid review of an artificial intelligence (AI)-related cyber incident affecting Australian Government systems.
This review follows reporting from OpenAI to the Australian Government regarding a non-public OpenAI model undertaking mis-aligned activity during an internet research task, resulting in unauthorised activity affecting government information systems.
The review will be led by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, in collaboration with the National Cyber Security Coordinator, Australian Signals Directorate, Australian AI Safety Institute and Services Australia.
It will examine whether existing legislative, governance and information-sharing arrangements are fit for purpose to prepare for and respond to cyber incidents involving AI. It will also identify opportunities to strengthen the resilience of government systems and support Australia's preparedness for emerging AI-related risks.
The review will inform the Australian Government's broader work on AI governance. This includes:
- the development of Australia's AI Standards
- engagement on international approaches to AI safety and incident reporting
- consideration of related legislative, regulatory and crisis management arrangements.
Terms of reference
The rapid review will be conducted in accordance with the following terms of reference.
Terms of Reference – Rapid review into Australian Government arrangements for an AI-driven cyber incident
Purpose
These terms of reference are to guide a Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet-led rapid-review of an artificial intelligence (AI) related cyber-incident affecting Australian Government systems. The objective of the review is to determine whether existing legislative, governance, and information-sharing arrangements are fit-for purpose to prepare for, and respond to, a cyber incident involving AI. The review will also inform how to build and maintain resilient systems in the AI era.