Status of Women Report Card – 2024 released

Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, has released the second Status of Women Report card, and the first in support of Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality released on Thursday 7 March 2024. 

Released annually on International Women’s Day, the Report Card includes the most recent available data on the social and economic equality issues facing women and girls in Australia.

The most recent available data shows where women are making gains, including:

Australian Government launches national gender equality strategy

The Australian Government’s Working for Women: A Strategy for Gender Equality was launched by the Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher on 7 March 2024.

This Strategy outlines the Australian Government's vision for gender equality – an Australia where people are safe, treated with respect, have choices, and have access to resources and equal outcomes no matter their gender.

It sets out a path to make progress towards this vision over the next 10 years, with a focus on five priority areas:

Update on Independent review into the transfer of 2003 Cabinet records to the National Archives of Australia

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has transferred all 2003 Cabinet files to the National Archives of Australia.

Secretary Glyn Davis wrote to the Director-General of the National Archives, Simon Froude confirming the transfer on 21 February 2024.

The department continues to work closely with the National Archives to implement all recommendations, which includes the transfer of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 records by April 2024.

Kenneth Myer Lecture

Let me acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong/Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin nation as traditional custodians of these unceded lands and recognise other Aboriginal people with connection to Narrm and the region. We are privileged to be on your country, to benefit from the continuing culture and care you bring to this community.

My gratitude to Dr Marie-Louise Ayres, Director-General of the National Library of Australia, and her colleagues for the invitation to deliver this lecture, first in Canberra and now in Melbourne.

Secretaries Board communique: 7 February 2024

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.

Review of Integrity Concerns and Governance Arrangements for the Management of Regional Processing Administration by the Department of Home Affairs

The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet supported an independent Review of Integrity Concerns and Governance Arrangements for the Management of Regional Processing Administration by the Department of Home Affairs.

The Minister for Home Affairs, The Hon Clare O’Neil MP, announced the Review on 31 July 2023: Review of integrity and governance in the administration of regional processing arrangements

Independent Review of Commonwealth funding for strategic policy work

On 5 February 2024, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet launched the Independent Review of Commonwealth funding for strategic policy work.

The review will assess all Commonwealth funding to third party organisations that conduct national security-related research, education and engagement activities.

The review will consider activities undertaken by agencies represented at the Secretaries’ Committee on National Security as well as other agencies, as these activities relate to national security outcomes.

Reviewer and responsibilities

The review will look to ensure that these activities remain appropriately aligned to Australia’s national interests and strategic circumstances.

Mr Peter Varghese AO has been selected to lead the review due to his skills and experience drawn from senior positions in foreign policy, trade and intelligence. Currently the Chancellor of the University of Queensland, Mr Varghese has served as Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Director-General of National Assessments.

The terms of reference are available.

Contact

The Secretariat can be contacted directly at Varghese.Review.2024@pmc.gov.au, or by post to

Independent Review of Commonwealth funding for strategic policy work
c/o Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
PO Box 6500
Canberra, ACT 2600

The Secretariat will be accepting written submissions on matters included in the review’s terms of reference. The closing date for written submissions is 15 April 2024. Please ensure that you include a completed Privacy Notice consent form [DOCX 97 KB] as an attachment to your submission.

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