COVID-19 Response Inquiry roundtable summary - mental health
Date: Monday 17 June 2024
Hosts: Prof Catherine Bennett, Panel Member, and Ms Robyn Kruk AO, Panel Chair, Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry.
Participants: This roundtable, convened and chaired by Carolyn Nikoloski, Chief Executive Officer of Mental Health Australia, brought together a range of Mental Health Australia members, including lived experience and carer representatives, to discuss the impacts of the pandemic on mental health.
New Governor-General Sam Mostyn sworn in
On 1 July 2024, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, was officially sworn in as the 28th Governor-General of Australia at a Parliament House ceremony.
With a long career in law and business, Ms Mostyn is the second female in Australian history to hold the position, following the Honourable Dame Quentin Bryce AD CVO who served as Australia’s 25th Governor-General from 2008 to 2014.
Public statement – Update on the independent review into the transfer of 2003 Cabinet records to the National Archives of Australia
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is on track with the implementation of all recommendations from the independent review into the 2020 transfer of 2003 Cabinet records to the National Archives of Australia (NAA).
Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) appointed Mr Dennis Richardson AC to undertake the review on 1 January 2024. The final report was delivered to the Secretary and Mr Simon Froude, Director-General of the NAA, on 25 January 2024.
COVID-19 Response Inquiry roundtable summary - experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse communities
Date: Wednesday 19 June 2024
Host: Robyn Kruk AO, Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry
Participants: This roundtable brought together a range of participants including multicultural community leaders, industry peak bodies, public health and medical experts, and Commonwealth, state and territory governments.
Appointment of Official Secretary to the Governor-General
The Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC CVO DSC (Retd), today announced the appointment of Mr Gerard Martin PSM as Official Secretary to the Governor‑General.
Mr Martin will act in the role of Official Secretary from 1 July 2024, and his substantive five year term will commence on 4 August 2024.
Secretaries Board communique: 12 June 2024
The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.
Strategic Outlook
The Board discussed government priorities, emerging risks and strategic issues.
The Board received an update on geostrategic issues from Mr Greg Moriarty AO, Secretary of the Department of Defence and Ms Clare Walsh, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
COVID-19 Response Inquiry roundtable summary - experience of people with disability
Date: Tuesday 4 June and Wednesday 5 June 2024
Hosts: Ms Robyn Kruk AO, Professor Catherine Bennett, Dr Angela Jackson, Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry
Participants: These roundtables brought together members of key standing advisory groups to government including people with lived experience.
Chief Operating Officers Committee communique: 22 May 2024
The Chief Operating Officers (COO) Committee (the Committee) met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters:
Freedom of Information (FOI) Commissioner Presentation
The Committee noted a presentation by the FOI Commissioner Ms Elizabeth Tydd on trends, regulatory priorities and process reform. The Committee discussed the right to access information and engagement with applicants.
COVID-19 Response Inquiry roundtable summary - higher education and VET
Date: Friday 31 May 2024
Hosts: Dr Angela Jackson, Professor Catherine Bennett, Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry
Participants: This roundtable brought together a range of participants from the higher education and vocational education and training (VET) sectors, including peak bodies and unions.