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.