Corporate Plan 2019-2023

PM&C's Corporate Plan for 2019–20 to 2022–23, sets out how we intend to deliver on our responsibilities, and addresses our operating environment, our people and capability, our risk management and oversight and our key activities and performance measures.

Our purposes

Create economic growth and jobs

Overview

We support the Government to deliver sustainable economic growth and job creation, which improves the lives of Australians and helps individuals, families and communities.

PM&C achieves this by providing the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, portfolio ministers and assistant ministers with high-quality advice about policy choices and trade-offs in the context of evolving domestic, international and national security priorities. We also work with other Commonwealth agencies to ensure policy proposals are informed by a rigorous evidence base and high-quality impact analysis.

PM&C also supports the implementation of the Government’s agenda by monitoring and reporting to the Prime Minister, portfolio ministers and assistant ministers on the progress of key priorities.

Key Activities

In 2019–20 and over the forward estimates, PM&C will:

  • Work to apply economic frameworks to complex policy problems so sustainable policy solutions are developed for the Government, to identify options to enhance the productivity of domestic businesses and to foster internationally competitive industries.
  • Lead the Digital Technologies Taskforce to coordinate and drive the Government’s policies on digital technologies.
  • Work with other Commonwealth agencies to provide holistic and timely advice on the Government’s $100 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline, including the delivery of priority projects such as the Western Sydney Airport, Inland Rail and Snowy Hydro 2.0.
  • Support the Prime Minister, responsible ministers and agencies to deliver the National Vision for Vocational Education and Training.
  • Support the Government in the implementation of its refreshed deregulation agenda, including through co-leading, with Treasury, the Deregulation Taskforce.
  • Support the Government to implement its priorities in industrial relations, tax, transfers and superannuation policy, including through the Retirement Income Review.
  • Work with central agencies to support the Prime Minister in the Budget process, including whole-of-government advice on new policy proposals considered by the Expenditure Review Committee.
  • Support the Prime Minister in achieving the Government’s strategic priorities in areas that require Commonwealth-State cooperation.
  • Support the Prime Minister to represent Australia in the G20 and other international forums to drive international cooperation and advance Australia’s national interests.
  • Work as early as possible with agencies to identify policy problems and articulate the costs and benefits of all options where there may be major impacts on businesses or citizens.

Performance Measures

Create economic growth and jobs performance measures
Measure Target
The Prime Minister, the Cabinet, responsible ministers and agencies receive high-quality and coordinated advice to inform policy development and support the implementation of the Government’s key priorities and activities.
  • Quality of advice received supports the Prime Minister in coordinating and implementing these policies and programs.
  • The advice considers the views of all relevant stakeholders, including industry, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the states and territories.
Support the Expenditure Review Committee in decision making and assist the Government to deliver on its fiscal strategy. Quality of advice received supports the Expenditure Review Committee in its decision making and assists the Government to deliver on its fiscal strategy.
Assist COAG to deliver on its priorities by ensuring good governance of the COAG system. Quality of advice received supports good governance of the COAG system.
Support the Government to develop and prosecute its trade, foreign investment, and G20 objectives. Quality of advice received supports the Government in developing and prosecuting its trade, foreign investment, and G20 objectives, while protecting Australia’s national interests.
Ensure Government decisions are fully informed of the direct impacts of major policy proposals using evidence and the input of affected stakeholders.
  • Increase the share of impact analysis considered Best Practice from 2018–19.
  • Increase the number of hours of structured impact analysis training delivered across the APS from 2018–19.

Deliver for regional Australia and the environment

Overview

PM&C works with Commonwealth agencies to provide high-quality, influential and timely advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on policies and reforms to support regional communities to build resilience and unlock their growth potential. The Government’s focus for the regions is connectivity (infrastructure and digital), skills and human capital, and access to education and health care.

Supporting drought-affected communities remains one of the Government’s most urgent priorities. To do this we work with Commonwealth agencies, state and territory governments, and community and industry representative bodies. We provide advice on assistance and policies that will help farmers and communities manage drought, maintain our biosecurity regime and respond to the impacts of a changing climate.

PM&C supports the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency (NQLIRA) in its efforts to deliver a long-term plan for the recovery and reconstruction of flood affected areas in North Queensland. We support the Government’s National Soils Advocate to protect, restore and maintain the health of the Australian agriculture landscape. We work with Commonwealth agencies to deliver sustainable water infrastructure, including the establishment of the National Water Grid Authority.

We provide policy advice to help protect Australia’s environment and heritage and to reduce emissions. We jointly lead the National Waste and Recycling Taskforce, focusing the national effort on reducing waste, increasing recycling and reuse, and moving Australia towards a more circular economy.

Key Activities

In 2019–20 and over the forward estimates, PM&C will:

  • Through our role co-leading the National Waste and Recycling Taskforce, work to give effect to the COAG commitment to establish a timetable to ban the export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, while building Australia’s capacity to generate high-value recycled commodities and associated demand.
  • Continue to support Commonwealth agencies to deliver the Government’s water infrastructure priorities, which aim to provide regional communities, farmers and industries with more secure, reliable and cost-effective water supplies.
  • Collaborate with Commonwealth agencies and state and territory governments to refresh the Northern Australia strategy.
  • Support Commonwealth agencies (including NQLIRA) to deliver on the Government’s plan and the Prime Minister’s priority to support farmers and regional communities respond to the drought now, and strengthen Australia’s preparedness and resilience for future droughts.
  • Support the National Soils Advocate in his efforts to progress the national objective to protect, restore and maintain the health of the Australian agricultural landscape and to guarantee a food secure nation and sustainable farming communities.

Performance Measures

Deliver for regional Australia and the environment performance measures
Measure Target
PM&C provides advice and practical recommendations to assist the Prime Minister in building consensus through COAG to implement, monitor and enforce an export ban on waste plastic, glass and tyres. Quality of advice received supports the Prime Minister in his leadership role, as chair of COAG, to shift the underlying economic and regulatory barriers to waste avoidance, reuse and recycling.
The Prime Minister, the Cabinet, responsible ministers and agencies receive coordinated advice to inform policy development and support the implementation of the Government’s key priorities and activities.
  • Quality of advice received supports the Prime Minister in coordinating and implementing these policies and programs.
  • The advice considers the views of all relevant stakeholders, including industry, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the states and territories.
PM&C supports NQLIRA and delivers regular updates to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on the drought response and implementation of reforms that support preparedness and resilience. Quality and timeliness of advice received supports the Prime Minister and the Cabinet to respond to on-the-ground drought conditions.
PM&C, in collaboration with Commonwealth agencies, delivers policy advice and support to progress the National Soils Advocate’s Terms of Reference. The National Soils Advocate is satisfied that he receives the advice and support necessary to effectively progress his work and contribute his expertise and advice to relevant ministers.

Support individuals, families and communities to thrive

Overview

PM&C supports the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and portfolio ministers by providing high-quality advice on policy development and implementation strategies that support Australian individuals, families and communities to thrive. 

We focus our advice on improving service delivery, citizen engagement and customer service in the areas of education, health, aged care, social services, disability, immigration, human services and the justice system.  We support the Prime Minister in his work to progress the Commonwealth’s objectives in cooperation with the states and territories through COAG.

PM&C works with the NIAA to improve the lives of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including ensuring that the Government’s key priorities of Closing the Gap, a voice to governments, constitutional recognition, addressing youth suicide and education outcomes are progressed.

Key Activities

In 2019–20 and over the forward estimates, PM&C will:

  • Provide high-quality and timely advice to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and portfolio ministers on social policy and intergovernmental matters to inform the Government’s priorities and policy development and approval.  Areas of focus include:
    • reducing the rate of suicide towards zero and improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians by supporting the work of the National Suicide Prevention Adviser and the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission inquiry into mental health
    • supporting the Prime Minister to achieve the Government’s goal of increasing the number of NDIS participants to 500,000 by 2024
    • working with partners and policy leads across Government to manage the Disability and Aged Care Royal Commissions
    • in conjunction with the Health portfolio, providing Australians with continued and expanded access to affordable medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
    • supporting the Prime Minister in his capacity as Chair of COAG on the delivery of a new 2020–2025 National Health Reform Agreement which ensures continuity of hospital funding, improves access to services and patient outcomes and reduces avoidable hospitalisations
    • working with the Department of Education to ensure that the National Policy Initiatives under the National School Reform Agreement are implemented and achieve improvements in school education outcomes
    • working with the Attorney-General’s Department to reform the federal judicial architecture.
  • Support the Attorney-General in introducing legislative protection for the freedom of religious belief.
  • Ensure Australia’s honours system appropriately recognises worthy Australians.
  • Continue to work with Commonwealth agencies to improve online safety, including tackling bullying and preventing the use of the internet for terrorist purposes, and supporting the dedicated taskforce.
  • Support the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and the Minister for Women to deliver key priorities for gender equality, including women’s safety, economic security and leadership.
  • Support the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet to deliver a National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse, with a particular focus on awareness raising, education and reducing stigma for victims and survivors.
  • Support the Social Impact Investing (SII) Expert Panel to deliver an interim and final report to government on the Commonwealth’s role in the Social Impact Investing market.
  • Support NIAA in developing policies and programs that will improve the wellbeing and welfare of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Performance Measures

Support individuals, families and communities to thrive performance measures
Measure Target
The Prime Minister, the Cabinet, responsible ministers and agencies receive high-quality and timely advice to inform:
  • the work of the National Suicide Prevention Adviser and the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission inquiry into mental health
  • an increase to the number of NDIS participants
  • management of the Disability and Aged Care Royal Commissions
  • consideration of access to affordable medicines through the PBS
  • delivery of a new 2020–2025 National Health Reform Agreement
  • implementation of the National Policy Initiatives under the National School Reform Agreement
  • effective reform of the federal judicial architecture.
  • Reduce the rate of suicide towards achieving zero and improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Australians.
  • Increase to the number of NDIS participants to 500,000 by 2024.
  • Quality of advice received supports the Prime Minister in overseeing Royal Commissions and the consideration of affordable medicines through the PBS.
  • 2020–2025 National Health Reform Agreement delivered.
  • National School Reform Agreement initiatives are implemented.
  • Legislative package to increase the efficiency of the federal and family courts is introduced.
The Prime Minister and Attorney-General receive high-quality and timely advice and support on appropriate measures to support the freedom of religious belief in Australian law. Legislative package to appropriately protect the freedom of religious belief in Australian law is introduced.
The Prime Minister receives comprehensive and timely advice on the administration of Australia’s honours system, with a focus on:
  • the implementation of new awards proposed by the Prime Minister
  • ensuring the integrity of the system through appropriate review of awards.
 Reputation and integrity of Australia’s honours system remains extremely robust.
The Prime Minister, the Cabinet, responsible ministers and agencies receive coordinated advice to inform development of policies to keep Australians safe online, including preventing terrorism and extreme violent content on the internet.
  • Effective coordination between international and domestic efforts to prevent terrorism and extreme violent material online.
  • Quality and timeliness of advice supports the Prime Minister, working with relevant ministers to progress and implement the Government’s online safety agenda.
  • The advice considers the views of relevant stakeholders, including industry, Australia’s international partners and the public.
The Office for Women contributes to the delivery of the Government’s key priorities for gender equality including:
  • implementing the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022
  • implementing the first Women’s Economic Security Statement (WESS) and progressing development of the second WESS
  • participating in international fora, including the UN Commission on the Status of Women
  • supporting increased women in leadership positions, including gender diversity on Australian Government boards.
  • The Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 has been implemented.
  • The first WESS have been implemented and progress has been made on the development of the second.
  • Attendance at international events.
  • An increase in gender diversity in leadership positions.
The National Strategy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse is delivered within agreed timeframes to the satisfaction of the Prime Minister and the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and key stakeholders. The strategy increases awareness, improves services, and reduces the extent of child sexual abuse over the long-term.
  • Ministers and Social Impact Investing (SII) Expert Panel are satisfied with the quality of the interim and final reports.
  • SII Expert Panel is satisfied with the quality of support provided by the PM&C team.
  • The SII Taskforce consults widely in the lead up to the delivery of the interim and final report.
  • SII Interim and final reports are delivered by agreed deadlines and supported by best-available evidence.
  • Reports are delivered to agreed deadlines.
  • Consultation with state and territory governments, the private, not-for-profit sectors, philanthropy, and relevant Commonwealth agencies is documented.
  • The Prime Minister, the Cabinet, and responsible ministers and agencies receive high-quality and timely advice to inform the consideration and progression of the Government’s agenda for Indigenous Australians.
  • PM&C leverages the position of the NIAA within the portfolio to improve policy outcomes by ensuring other policy areas consider Indigenous perspectives and enables the Agency to have visibility and input into these policy spaces.
  • Quality of advice received supports the Prime Minister in coordinating and implementing these policies and programs.
  • The advice considers the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and relevant stakeholders, including the states and territories.

Uphold national security and strategic interests

Overview

PM&C provides advice and drives outcomes on national security and international matters.

During a time when our strategic environment is changing, PM&C helps shape and deliver the Prime Minister’s international agenda. PM&C supports the Government to maximise our international influence, identify risk, and design and implement policies to ensure Australia has the strength, dynamism and flexibility to advance our national and global interests, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Areas of particular focus include: implementing the government’s Indo-Pacific strategy; reinforcing Australia’s alliance with the United States; advancing key relationships in the Indo-Pacific; and ensuring implementation of the Pacific Step-up across government.

Good government is supported by utilising the capability and expertise of our people; using our convening power as a central Agency to bring a whole-of-government approach and our close understanding of the Prime Minister’s priorities to ensure they are advanced by the broader APS; and ensuring the Cabinet (and its committees including the National Security Committee (NSC)) and the Government have clear advice, that choices are clearly presented and that decisions are implemented.

An important aspect of this purpose is the support and coordination of a whole-of-government approach to enhancing the safety, security and prosperity of all Australians, and effectively securing Australia’s strategic interests in the face of a shifting geopolitical landscape. The ultimate aim is to drive effective and efficient outcomes on national security and international matters.

Key Activities

In 2019–20 and over the forward estimates, PM&C will:

  • Support the Prime Minister’s engagement with foreign counterparts and business leaders to strengthen and diversify Australia’s partnerships internationally, especially in the Indo-Pacific, contributing to a more successful and prosperous Australia.
  • Provide comprehensive, influential and timely advice and coordination on national security, with an emphasis on:
    • counter-terrorism and crisis management
    • border security, law enforcement, cyber security and counter foreign interference initiatives
    • defence operations and capability, including on the national naval shipbuilding enterprise
    • foreign policy.
  • Provide comprehensive, influential and timely advice and coordination on Defence Capability, operations and strategic policy, including the establishment of a sovereign and sustainable Australian defence industrial base.
  • Support the Prime Minister as chair of NSC to secure decisions and drive implementation.

Performance Measures

Measure Target
Uphold national security and strategic interests performance measures
  • PM&C supports and strengthens the Prime Minister’s international agenda by providing high-quality and timely briefing for the Prime Minister’s engagements.
  • Implementation by the APS of commitments made by the Prime Minister to foreign leaders.

Quality of advice received supports the Prime Minister in engagement with international counterparts and is demonstrably focused on advancing Australia’s interests through:

  • strengthening Indo-pacific partnerships
  • clear articulation of important matters for Australia
  • supporting the Prime Minister in achieving Australia’s foreign policy agenda and ensuring high-quality submissions and briefings on matters to do with foreign and trade policy
  • ensuring leader level commitments made by the Government during meetings with foreign counterparts are developed and implemented by agencies with support from PM&C.
  • Decisions in relation to national security matters are made and implemented on the basis of consideration of Australia’s national interests and the full range of equities, including social, economic and security interests, and implemented in a timely way.
  • Whole-of-government response during times of crisis is coordinated seamlessly.
 Quality of advice received supports the government’s commitments on national security and a whole-of-government response is coordinated effectively during times of crisis.
PM&C supports the delivery of the $200 billion 2016 Defence White Paper Investment Program, including the $90 billion National Shipbuilding Enterprise.  
  • Quality of advice received supports the Prime Minister, the Cabinet, responsible ministers and agencies in the delivery of Defence capability.
  • The advice considers the views of all relevant stakeholders, including industry and the states and territories, where appropriate.
  • The program is delivered to agreed deadlines.
A focused NSC agenda, with clear decision making and management processes and effective implementation of decisions. Quality of advice received supports the NSC agenda.

Govern well

Overview

PM&C provides a diverse range of high-quality support services and advice to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet and our portfolio ministers, to enable them to deliver on their legal and Parliamentary obligations and on their priorities for the Australian people. We also manage our own organisation, to ensure we are fit-for-purpose, and ready to perform our functions to a high standard.

Support for good decision-making processes and the integrity of the Cabinet system is an essential service to all governments. In addition to our usual important secretariat task for the Cabinet and its committees, this financial year we will be launching a new IT system, CabNet+, to ensure the Prime Minister and the Cabinet have access to the information they need to support informed decision-making.

Australia is a respected global partner and we support the Prime Minister in promoting our country’s interest internationally through overseas visits, as well as welcoming visiting Heads of States and Governments to our shores.

We recognise good policy development and service delivery relies on robust research and data. Through our Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA), citizen engagement survey and our Data Integration Partnership for Australia (DIPA), we are gaining better insights into people-centred policy that benefits the whole community.

We support the Prime Minister to respond to Australians who increasingly expect a high level of interaction on matters that affect them. Timely access to unambiguous and accurate information and quick responses to those Australians who take the time to share their views with the Prime Minister and portfolio ministers are essential.

We support the Prime Minister and Cabinet in the management of the executive branch of Government, including through the provision of advice on matters of process and policy to ensure the effective functioning of government operations.

Through our system of Honours and Awards we recognise the contribution of those Australians who have made a real difference to the nation. We also pay respect to the past achievements of eminent Australians through State Funerals and Memorials.

Key Activities

In 2019–20 and over the forward estimates, PM&C will:

  • Ensure a strategic focus to the Government’s legislative program.
  • Enhance and modernise Cabinet processes through delivery of the CabNet+ project.
  • Provide expert advice to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet, portfolio ministers, PM&C and other APS agencies on governance matters relating to the operation of the executive branch of Government.
  • Provide clear and actionable advice on whole-of-government legal risk.
  • Increase awareness of Australia’s honours system.
  • Ensure the Department has a high-performance culture underpinned by a strengths-based approach to performance.
  • Advance Australia’s interests through effective and well-executed programs for the Prime Minister’s overseas engagements and for incoming visits by Heads of State and Government.
  • Use technology and automation to streamline Ministerial support services.
  • Provide leadership to the APS on designing, delivering and scaling policies and services using innovative and rigorous tools including data, digitisation and behavioural insights.
  • Establish an effective public data sharing framework through the work of the Office of the National Data Commissioner.
  • Deliver high quality and regular updates to the Prime Minister on implementation of key priorities across Government.

Performance Measures

Measure Target
Govern well performance measures
The whole-of-government legislation program is delivered in accordance with the Government’s strategic priorities. Government’s priority legislative measures are introduced in accordance with the Government’s timetable.
The new CabNet+ system supports ministers and departments to operate more efficiently and effectively. CabNet+ successfully implemented and operating effectively.
High-quality expert advice is provided to the Prime Minister on governance matters. All machinery or ministerial changes are properly supported by sound advice and successfully implemented.
  • Significant legal matters and associated risks are identified and coordinated with the Attorney-General’s Department.
  • The Prime Minister and his Office have timely and comprehensive visibility of whole-of-government legal risks as they emerge.
 Whole-of-government legal risks are identified and mitigated to the greatest extent possible.
Public awareness of honours system is increased through social and traditional media campaigns, focusing on those segments of society which are underrepresented in awards. Increase diversity in Australian honours nominations including:
  • diversity of levels and geographical spread in PSM awards
  • women and other under-represented groups for awards in the Order of Australia.
  • PM&C staff provide high-quality outcomes and support.
  • Performance is assessed on delivery of outcomes along with PM&C specific capabilities and behaviours.
  • The Department’s new performance framework is implemented and operating effectively.
  • High performance is recognised and linked to access to opportunities.
PM&C coordinates and delivers high-quality operational support for the Prime Minister’s official overseas engagements and for Guests of Government.
  • The operational arrangements for the Prime Minister’s international outgoing visit program are delivered to a high standard and advance Australia’s international interests.
  • The Guest of Government program for incoming visits is delivered to the satisfaction of our guests, the Prime Minister and the Governor-General.
Timely registration of ministerial correspondence and provision of timely high-quality speechwriting and meeting support.
  • All ministerial correspondence is registered within three working days.
  • Meeting support and speechwriting provided to the satisfaction of stakeholders.
  • PM&C enables whole-of-government collaboration to facilitate good policy development and better service delivery, including by using integrated data through DIPA.
  • BETA continues to contribute to the delivery of the Government’s key priorities through the application of behavioural economics and rigorous evaluation.
  • 30 agencies using integrated data and DIPA data assets.
  • 15 advisory and evaluation projects completed.
  • 2000 APS employees participate in behavioural insights capability program.
The Office of the National Data Commissioner leads reforms to improve data sharing and use across the APS. Reforms are delivered within agreed timelines to the satisfaction of the Minister responsible.
Regular and high-quality updates are provided to the Prime Minister on the delivery of key priorities. Implementation of a delivery framework to report to the Prime Minister regularly on the Prime Minister’s key priorities.