The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.
Workplace Relations
The Australian Public Service Commissioner, Mr Peter Woolcott, updated the Board on the 6 October release of the Government’s Public Sector Interim Workplace Arrangements and forthcoming bargaining process to develop a comprehensive workplace relations policy.
Government’s Approach to Tripartism
Secretary for the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, Ms Natalie James, commenced discussions with the Board on a consolidated government approach to working collaboratively with the union movement.
Implementation of APS Reform
The Board had a significant discussion regarding public sector reform priorities led by the Secretary for Public Sector Reform, Dr Gordon de Brouwer.
This Board discussed three key activities:
- Work being undertaken to design a new whole of APS Senior Executive Service performance framework, looking at outcomes and behaviours.
- The results of the Trust in Public Services Survey Annual Report, ahead of its publication in coming weeks.
- The Capability Reviews program, which moved to the following agenda item.
Capability Reviews
Secretary Public Sector Reform, Dr Gordon de Brouwer and the Australian Public Service Commissioner, Mr Peter Woolcott, provided a verbal update on capability reviews which was noted by the Board.
Operational Guidance for Commonwealth-Relevant Cyber Incidents
Following the establishment of the new Cyber Security Coordinator role within the Department of Home Affairs, the Board discussed the implementation of new operational guidance and governance structures proposed by the Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee.
Secretary of the Department of Social Services, Mr Ray Griggs, and Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, Mr Michael Pezzullo, led this discussion and noted thanks to the Digital and Data Committee for their work. The Board agreed to the recommendations.
Economic and Budget Update
Secretary of the Department of The Treasury, Dr Steven Kennedy, and Secretary of the Department of Finance, Ms Jenny Wilkinson, provided a verbal update on economic and budget priorities which was noted by the Board.
Enhancements to the APS Surge Reserve
The APS Surge Reserve is an enduring capability of the APS to mobilise staff in large numbers in response to a crisis, and a key mechanism to ramp up disaster response efforts after nationally significant events.
The Secretaries Board agreed enhancements to strengthen the APS Surge Reserve to support the sustainability of the model recommended by the Australian Public Service Commissioner, Mr Peter Woolcott.
Other Business
The Australian Public Service Commissioner, Mr Peter Woolcott, updated the Board on the forward plan for the annual publishing of the APS Employment Census results.
Next Meeting
The next Secretaries Board meeting is scheduled for 14 December 2022.