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 from Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, the Australian Public Service Commissioner, on the Final Report of the Centralised Code of Conduct Inquiry Taskforce.
The Board received an update on geostrategic issues from Mr Greg Moriarty AO, Secretary of the Department of Defence.
The Board received an economic and budget update from Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance, and Ms Victoria Anderson, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.
Higher Risk Weather Season
The Board received a briefing from Joe Buffone, acting Coordinator General, National Emergency Management Agency on preparedness ahead of the 2024-25 Higher Risk Weather Season and discussed responsibilities under the updated Australian Government Crisis Management Framework.
Closing the Gap
The Board received an update from the Chair on recent discussions held with some Secretaries on progress towards Closing the Gap and to improve outcomes for First Nations people.
Boosting First Nations Employment in the APS
The Board noted the Australian Public Service Commission and National Indigenous Australians Agency will commence a second recruitment exercise under the SES100 initiative.
Long Term Insights Briefing
The Board discussed the second Long-term Insights Briefing project on The future of government services: Aligning to work with Australian communities.
Digital Atlas
The Board discussed the use of the Digital Atlas of Australia as a data platform to improve accessibility and availability of publicly available information at the location level.
Trust in Australian public services – Annual Report
The Board received an update on the 2024 Annual Report of the Trust in Australian public services to be released in November 2024. The Board noted the continuing data sharing activities to strengthen transparency and public access to results.
CALD Strategy – Leadership Statement on Cultural Diversity
The Board received an update on implementation of the APS Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Employment Strategy and Action Plan, including the CALD SES Benchmark Data. The Board endorsed the Statement of Leadership to Support Cultural Diversity – the CALD Compact.
SES Performance Leadership Framework
The Board received an update from Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Australian Public Service Commissioner on APS agency implementation of the SES Performance Leadership Framework, a key outcome of Stage 1 of APS Reform.
Capability and Workforce Committee
The Board noted the six monthly report from the Capability and Workforce Committee, which highlighted progress over the last six months including public release of an APS CALD Employment Strategy and Action Plan, the APS Employee Value Proposition campaign, and completion of the discovery phase of the psychological safety in the APS project.
Other Business
The Board thanked Mr Ray Griggs AO CSC for his service following his announcement of retirement from the APS toward the end of the year, and noted a merit-based process had commenced to inform the Prime Minister’s consideration of the next Secretary of the Department of Social Services.
Next Meeting
The next Secretaries Board meeting is scheduled for 13 November 2024.