Sir Roland Wilson Foundation Secretaries Dinner

25 November 2025

Acknowledgements

Good evening, everyone.

I acknowledge that we are gathered on the land of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people of the Canberra region.

I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and I extend that respect to all First Nations people joining us today.

I would like to thank the Australian National University and the Sir Roland Wilson Foundation, and your chair, Dr David Gruen, for inviting me to speak.

Thank you, also, to the Australian Public Service Secretaries and agency heads with us tonight.

Stopping digital violence is essential to ending gender-based violence

Ending digital violence against women and girls is the theme of this year's 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-based Violence, beginning on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November).

Technology is now one of the most common channels for gender-based harassment, coercion and abuse, affecting women and girls across Australia. As digital platforms, messaging apps and artificial intelligence (AI) tools become embedded in daily life, the opportunities for perpetrators to reach, monitor, threaten and control women have rapidly expanded.

Rapid review of prevention approaches: Australian Government implementation update - 30 October 2025

The Australian Government has published a further implementation update on Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches, which delivers comprehensive and up-to-date information on key initiatives as of 20 February 2026, including the launch of the Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices.’

Information on this page is current as at 30 October 2025.

Secretaries Board communique: 19 November 2025

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, strategic issues and emerging risks.

The Board received an update on geostrategic issues from Mr Craig Maclachlan, Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ms Justine Greig, Deputy Secretary, Department of Defence.

Rapid review of prevention approaches: Australian Government, state and territory collective response – 28 November 2025

Update as at 28 November 2025

On 23 August 2024, the Australian Government received the expert panel’s final report, Unlocking the Prevention Potential: accelerating action to end domestic, family and sexual violence. The report was shared with state and territory governments.

PM&C APS Employee Census Results 2025

Overview

In 2025, employee participation in the Census was 90%, providing the department with a comprehensive view of employee sentiment. PM&C’s results have been broadly consistent with previous years, reflecting our engaged workforce.

The Census results include 6 key indices that draw together responses to multiple questions into single themed measures. PM&C’s index scores remain stable and continue to track above both the whole of APS and APS policy agency averages, achieving the following results:

Prompting for a better deal

Many consumers are missing out on better deals on their financial products. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found low engagement in the retail deposit (e.g. savings accounts) and home loan market (ACCC 2019; 2023).

The Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA) partnered with the Department of the Treasury to:

Freebairn Public Lecture

Acknowledgements1

I would like to thank the University of Melbourne’s Faculty of Business and Economics for inviting me to speak today. 

I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are meeting, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong peoples. 

I pay my respects to their Elders – past and present – and extend my respect to any First Nations people who are with us today.

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