State Memorial Service for the Honourable Dr Rosemary Crowley AO
A State Memorial Service for the Honourable Dr Rosemary Crowley AO will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday 22 March 2025.
2025 Status of Women Report Card
The third annual Status of Women Report Card (the report card) was released on Saturday 8 March 2025 for International Women’s Day.
The report card supports Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality,which outlines the Australian Government's 10-year plan towards achieving gender equality.
It includes the most recent data and analysis on the social and economic equality issues facing women and girls in Australia.
It highlights areas where progress is being made, including:
International Women’s Day 2025
International Women’s Day (IWD) is 8 March. This year’s theme is March Forward: For all women and girls. It calls for action that can unlock equal rights, power and opportunities for all.
This IWD marks one-year since the Government released its 10-year plan for advancing gender equality, Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality (Working for Women). It provides a point to reflect on the achievements made to build a more equal Australia for everyone’s benefit.
Nominate an Australian public servant for the Public Service Medal
Nominations close 4 April 2025.
Secretaries Board communique: 19 February 2025
The Secretaries Board met 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 including preparing for the 2025 general election.
The Board received an update on geostrategic issues from Ms Jan Adams AO PSM, Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Mr Matt Yannopoulos PSM, Associate Secretary, Department of Defence.
Australia’s delegation to the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
The 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City from 10 to 21 March 2025.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s and girls’ human rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Defence and Veterans' Services Commission
Establishment of the Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission
The Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission will provide independent oversight and evidence-based advice to government on reforms to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members.
The commission will commence on 29 September 2025.
Recommendation 122 of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide advised the Australian Government to establish a new statutory entity to oversee reform across the whole Defence ecosystem. The Australian Government agreed to this recommendation in its response to the final report in December 2024.
The Australian Government has taken 2 significant steps to progress this work as a priority:
- The appointment of an interim head of the commission, Mr Michael Manthorpe PSM, on 17 January 2025, to lead on its development and design.
- The passing of legislation by the Australian Parliament on 13 February 2025 to establish the commission as a statutory oversight body.
Interim head of commission
The Australian Government appointed Mr Michael Manthorpe PSM as the interim head of the Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission on 17 January 2025.
Mr Manthorpe served in the Australian Public Service for 37 years, including as the Commonwealth Ombudsman and Defence Force Ombudsman from 2017 to 2021. He worked at Deputy Secretary level in the then departments of education, employment and workplace relations, and in the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and its predecessor agency from 2009 to 2017.
Next steps and Senate Committee inquiry
Mr Manthorpe will lead a team in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to establish the commission as an ongoing legislated body.
The final design of the commission will take account of extensive public consultations undertaken by the Royal Commission, feedback from public submissions published by the Royal Commission and their advice on how the new entity should operate. Additional opportunities for stakeholder engagement during the establishment of the commission will be available in the coming months.
The caretaker period has commenced and the scope of consultations may be limited during this period, consistent with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions.
The Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee will review the legislation establishing the commission and report by 29 August 2025.
You can read more about the Senate Committee’s Inquiry including how to make a submission.
Submissions to this Inquiry should be submitted through the Parliament of Australia website by 30 May 2025.
Mr Manthorpe will work with the Senate and the Government to review of the legislation prior to its commencement.
Contact the commission
If you would like to contact the Interim Head of the Commission about the establishment of the Defence and Veterans’ Services Commission, you can email DVSCommission@pmc.gov.au.
We also welcome your views about the legislation to establish the commission, and the setup of the new entity.
If you wish to make suggestions to the Interim Head of the Commission about the terms or operation of the legislation to create the commission, please provide these by 15 May 2025 to ensure your input is considered before advice is given to the Government and the Senate Inquiry after the forthcoming 2025 Federal election.
If your enquiry relates to reviewing or resolving individual matters, or lodging complaints, please direct your enquiry to the organisation relevant to your concern.
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Implementation Taskforce
In addition to the establishment of the commission, the Australian Government has established a Commonwealth-led Implementation Taskforce within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The taskforce will support the implementation of the Government Response to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The taskforce will provide considered advice to Government to sequence and implement actions. Should you wish to contact the taskforce, email RCDVS.ImplementationTaskforce@pmc.gov.au.
Related resources
- Final Report: Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
- Final Report: Volume 6 outlining Recommendation 122 and the functions and powers of the new entity (from page 275)
- Schedule 9 of the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2025 – The legislation passed by the Parliament to establish the Commission
- Review of Schedule 9 of the Defence Act 1903 – Find information about the Senate inquiry and how to write and upload a submission
- Australian Government Response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
Crisis support services
Suicide Call Back Service
24-hour counselling service for suicide prevention and mental health. Available via telephone, online and by video chat.
Open Arms
24-hour mental health support for Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, veterans and their families.
Defence Member and Family Helpline
24-hour service providing a range of practical and emotional support programs for families facing emergency or crisis.
Defence All-hours Support Line
24-hour service for Australian Defence Force members and their families providing help to access military or civilian mental health services.
Lifeline Australia
13 11 14 or text 0477 13 11 14
24-hour crisis support service. Available via telephone, online and text chat.
Beyond Blue
24-hour counselling service. Available via telephone, online or email.
1800RESPECT
24-hour counselling service for sexual assault, family and domestic violence.
Men’s Referral Service
24-hour counselling, information and referral service for men concerned about their own use of violence or abusive behaviour.
MensLine
24-hour support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence, addiction, relationship stress and wellbeing. Available via telephone, online and by video chat.
13YARN
24-hour national support line for First Nations people in crisis.
QLife Call
1800 184 527 or visit QLife
The QLife phone and webchat service is available 3 pm to midnight every day, providing space for where LGBTQI+ people and their loved ones can talk about anything affecting their lives.
Australian Government response to the Senate Inquiry into Australia’s support for Ukraine
The Australian Government has released its response to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee Inquiry report into Australian support for Ukraine.
The government has accepted, in full or in part, 9 of the 22 recommendations; and noted 13 recommendations.
The government response is available at: Australian Government response to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report: Inquiry into Australian support for Ukraine.