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.     

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

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.

Secretaries Board communique: 28 January 2026

Strategic Outlook

The Board discussed government priorities, strategic issues and emerging risks.

The Board received an update on geostrategic issues from Ms Jan Adams AO PSM, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Mr Greg Moriarty AO, Secretary, Department of Defence.

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.

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