The Secretaries Board met at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) and discussed the following matters.
APS Integrity Taskforce
Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of PM&C, noted the substantial program of work underway to strengthen integrity across the Australian public sector, including the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as the significant issues emerging in the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.
Secretaries endorsed a joint proposal by PM&C, the Attorney-General’s Department and the Australian Public Service (APS) Commission to establish an APS Integrity Taskforce to support the APS to deliver the Government’s integrity agenda, and work with agencies to deliver system-wide integrity improvements.
The Terms of Reference for the APS Integrity Taskforce are provided at Attachment A.
Update on Alice Springs
The Secretaries Board received an update from Ms Jody Broun, Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency, on the Government’s response to the situation in Alice Springs.
The Board discussed the work being undertaken across the APS to develop and deliver measures for the new Better, Safer Future for Central Australia Plan announced by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments on 6 February 2023.
Clerk of the Senate
Mr Richard Pye, Clerk of the Senate, briefed the Secretaries Board on the Senate Estimates process, including the underlying principles and practices, the responsibilities of public servants as witnesses and the availability of guidance to support officials in preparation for committee hearings.
Economic and Budget Update
Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance, and Dr Steven Kennedy PSM, Secretary of the Treasury, provided a verbal update on the economic outlook and preparations for the 2023-24 Budget.
APS Reform Update
The Secretaries Board noted an update from the APS Reform Office including:
- Public consultation on the Government’s announced amendments to the Public Service Act 1999 will commence in February 2023, on www.apsreform.gov.au.
- An APS200 event in February 2023 will bring together Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries to exchange ideas to support APS Reform.
Next Meeting
The next Secretaries Board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 8 March 2023.
Strategic Leadership Group
The Secretaries Board agreed on 16 September 2022 to establish the Strategic Leadership Group as a sub-committee.
The Terms of Reference for the Strategic Leadership Group are provided at Attachment B.
The first meeting of the Strategic Leadership Group was held at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) on 8 February 2023. The following matters were discussed.
Identity System and Digital Resilience
Mr Michael Pezzullo AO, Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, and Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance, provided an update on the identity system and digital resilience.
The Strategic Leadership Group agreed to look at how they can support the ongoing development and coordination of the identity system, with an emphasis on improving seamless service delivery, strengthening identity resilience and supporting the growth of the digital economy.
Achieving Digital Transformation Securely
Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC, Secretary of the Department of Social Services, led a strategic discussion on achieving digital transformation securely.
Ms Rachel Noble PSM, Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate, attended as guest.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Strategic Leadership Group is scheduled for Wednesday, 10 May 2023.