The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.
As one of Australia’s most important symbols, the Australian National Flag should be used with respect and dignity. The flag protocol examples below will assist you when displaying flags in various settings, including press conferences and meetings. The Government also respects the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag, and encourages their display together with the Australian National Flag.
This circular provides new guidance on arrangements for the presentation of government documents (including Annual Reports) and government responses to parliamentary committee reports. It should be read in conjunction with the Tabling Guidelines.
A new Online Tabled Documents system (OTD) has been developed and is ready to be used for the presentation of all government documents to the parliament.
4 March 2024
Professor Glyn Davis AC
Secretary
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
One National Circuit
BARTON ACT 2600
Dear Professor Davis
Review of the Secretaries Board
I am pleased to provide the report of the Review of the Secretaries Board.
The Report was conducted over an eight-week period across January and February 2024. Departmental secretaries and other senior staff were generous in the time that they provided to the Review and were thoughtful and constructive in their input.
The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.
The Board received an update from Ms Robyn Kruk AO, Panel Chair, on the progress of the Commonwealth Government COVID-19 Response Inquiry, including stakeholder engagement and emerging themes for the Inquiry.
The Board received an update from Ms Jody Broun, Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Australians Agency on the response to recent events in central Australia.
Thank you, Professor Medcalf for your invitation and for the close association between yourself, the College and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Let me acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of these unceded lands and recognise other Aboriginal people with connection to the lands of the ACT and region.
We are privileged to be on your country, to benefit from the continuing culture and care you bring to this community.
Instruments of Authorisation that enable a Minister from another portfolio to act for a Minister who is unavailable for a period of two weeks or more are published on the Federal Register of Legislation
On 27 March 2024, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), Governor-General, announced the Australian Bravery Decorations.
The Australian Bravery Decorations recognise acts of bravery where people selflessly put themselves in jeopardy to protect the lives or property of others.
A list of the recipients is available on the Governor-General’s website and recipients who have agreed to be identified can be searched through the Australian Honours database.
Decorations awarded include:
On 4-6 March 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hosted leaders of the Lao PDR, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste in Melbourne at the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit.
The Summit, themed ‘A Partnership for the Future’, built on Australia’s 50 year history of cooperation and partnership between Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
This agreement is made under Section 172 of the Fair Work Act 2009.
Signed for and on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia
Professor Glyn Davis AC
Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
One National Circuit Barton ACT 2600
Signed for and on behalf of the Community and Public Sector Union
Beth Vincent-Pietsch
Deputy Secretary
Community and Public Sector Union
4/224 Bunda Street Canberra ACT 2601
The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.
The Board received an update from Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, on Commonwealth-State priorities with cross-portfolio implications.
The Board received an update from Professor Glyn Davis AC and discussed the current governance arrangements and coordination of Commonwealth investments.