The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.
Address by the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP
The Board received an update from the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP on the Government’s priorities.
2024 Board Priorities
The Board discussed the key strategic priorities and Board arrangements for the 2024 calendar year.
Closing the Gap
The Board received an update on the Closing the Gap Annual Report 2023 and the Closing the Gap Implementation Plan 2024 and discussed agency strategic action plans.
Central Australia Implementation Plan
The Board received an update on the implementation of the Central Australia Plan.
Indigenous Data Governance
The Board endorsed in-principle the Framework for Governance of Indigenous Data, co-designed by Australian Government agencies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partners, and agreed to develop an action plan setting out priority actions and timeframes.
Stewardship as an APS Value
The Board noted the update from Australian Public Service Commissioner, Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, on the proposed text describing the scope and application of Stewardship, to be included in the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Directions, subject to the passage of the Public Service Amendment Bill.
Boosting First Nations Employment in the APS
The Board agreed to accelerate action to boost First Nations employment outcomes within the Australian Public Service. The Board discussed the most effective ways to fill vacant positions through the SES100 recruitment process. The Board agreed that cultural capability training should be a requirement for all SES staff.
Building APS Capability through the APS Academy
The Australian Public Service Commissioner presented a report on the progress of the APS Academy in building capability across the system, in partnership with agencies. The Board agreed to continue financial support to the Academy in 2024 for whole-of-system APS learning and development transformation.
APS Purpose Statement
Given associated amendments to the Public Service Act 1999 are not proceeding, the Secretaries Board decided not to progress an APS Purpose Statement at this time. The Board reaffirmed its commitment to working together as One APS and thanked those who participated in the APS Purpose Statement Deliberative Committee.
Long Term Insights Briefing Second Pilot
The Board discussed themes for the next Long-term Insights Briefing pilot to commence in 2024.
Economic and Budget Update
Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance, and Dr Steven Kennedy PSM, Secretary of the Treasury, provided an economic and budget update.
Protective Security Policy Framework
The Board noted an update on the administration of the Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) in 2022-23.
Partnerships Priorities Committee
The Board noted work undertaken by the Partnership Priorities Committee.
COO Committee
The Board noted the minutes of the Chief Operating Officers Committee from its 30 October 2023 meeting.
Next Meetings
The next Secretaries Board meeting is scheduled for 7 February 2024.