Instrument of appointment of Mr Michael Lye

Public Service (Secretary of the Department of Social Services) Appointment 2024

I, the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council and under subsection 58(1) of the Public Service Act 1999, appoint Mr Michael Lye as the Secretary of the Department of Social Services for a period of five years commencing on 11 December 2024.

Dated 5 December 2024

[Signature of Sam Mostyn AC]

Sam Mostyn AC
Governor-General

By Her Excellency's Command

Guidance on Caretaker Conventions

During the caretaker period, the business of government continues and ordinary matters of administration still need to be addressed. 

Note: The advice in this document is identical in most respects to the Guidance that was issued in 2021. The document has been reformatted to meet contemporary style guide and online accessibility requirements.

PM&C APS Employee Census Results 2024

Overview

In 2024, the department saw the highest ever employee participation in the Census, with a 91% response rate providing valuable insights into employee sentiment. Overall, the results remained relatively consistent with 2023 and continued to build on our historically 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 the APS wide and other APS policy agency averages, as follows:

Australian delegation attending the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review (Beijing+30 Regional Review meeting) is being held in Bangkok from 19 to 21 November 2024.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was established in 2015 and adopted by 189 countries as a global blueprint for advancing women’s and girls’ human rights.

Secretaries Board communique: 13 November 2024

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, emerging risks and strategic issues.

The Board received an update on geostrategic issues from Ms Jan Adams AO PSM, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Ms Justine Greig PSM, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Defence.

Response to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee Report on the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill 2024 [Provisions] and the Net Zero Economy Authority (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2024 [Provisions]

On 19 November 2024, the Australian Government tabled its response to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee Report on the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill 2024 [Provisions] and the Net Zero Economy Authority (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2024 [Provisions]. The Committee’s final report made five recommendations about the design and operation of the Net Zero Economy Authority Bill 2024 (the Bill) and the Net Zero Economy Authority (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2024 (the Bills).

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