The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.
Clerk of the Senate
The Board received a briefing from Mr Richard Pye, Clerk of the Senate 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 committee hearings.
Closing the Gap: Strategy to Accelerate Action
The Board received an update on Closing the Gap and discussed the Productivity Commission’s final report of its Review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. The Board also discussed priorities for 2024 and mechanisms for the Board to strengthen collective action on Closing the Gap.
Closing the Gap: Central Australia update
The Board received an update on implementation of the Central Australia Plan and priorities for the Aboriginal Leadership Group.
Secretaries Talent Council
The Board received an update from Mr Chris Moraitis PSM, Chair of the Secretaries Talent Council, on development of APS senior leaders. The Board endorsed a more transparent approach to providing development feedback to high performing and high potential leaders in partnership with Secretaries and acknowledged the importance of ongoing development for staff to ensure an APS that delivers for the government and the Australian public.
Capabilities Review Forward Program
The Board discussed the forward work program of capability reviews for 2024-25. Information on the Capability Review Program is available on the APSC website.
Economic and Budget Update
The Board received an update from Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance, and Dr Steven Kennedy PSM, Secretary of the Treasury.
Long-Term Insights Briefing – Future Trends in the Organisation of Government
The Board agreed to the second Long-term Insights Briefing topic of: The future of government services: Aligning to work with Australian communities. The Pilot will run from February to July 2024 and will be oversighted by a Steering Committee.
Next Meetings
The next Secretaries Board meeting is scheduled for 14 March 2024.