On 21 September 2023, the Prime Minister the Hon Anthony Albanese MP announced an independent inquiry into Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The inquiry reviewed the Commonwealth Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic to identify lessons learned to improve Australia’s preparedness for future pandemics.
It has been prepared in accordance with the provisions of section 46 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act), the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Rule 2014 (PGPA Rule) and the Department of Finance Resource Management Guide No 135. The compliance index in Part 5 lists the information required by the PGPA Act and PGPA Rule and the corresponding page number within this report.
The inquiry commissioned ORIMA PTY LTD to undertake qualitative focus group research with 11 priority cohorts including people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, parents of school-aged children and young people and mental health support services users, to get a better understanding of their lived experiences during the pandemic. The research was conducted between 21 May and 24 June 2024. The report outlines key findings of the research.
The inquiry commissioned SEC Newgate to develop and deliver an online survey with a nationally representative sample of over 2,000 members of the Australian population aged 18+. Specific lines of enquiry in the survey included:
Five specialist organisations representing women in all their diversity will share in $10.88 million to continue the work of the National Women’s Alliances from December 2024 to 30 June 2029.
PM&C remains committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We work to ensure departmental activities are child safe and to continuously improve our implementation of the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework (the framework). As prescribed by Requirement 4 of the Framework, this statement provides an overview of PM&C’s compliance with the framework, including the results of our annual child safety risk assessment.
A State Memorial to celebrate the life of the Honourable Gary Nairn AO will take place at 11.00 am on Friday 22 November 2024 at the Mulloon Institute’s Home Farm rural property, 3585 Kings Highway, Bungendore, New South Wales.
From 9 to 11 October, Prime Minister Albanese visited Vientiane, Laos for the 4th Annual ASEAN-Australia Summit and 19th East Asia Summit.
The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.
The Board discussed government priorities, emerging risks and strategic issues.
The Board received an update from Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, the Australian Public Service Commissioner, on the Final Report of the Centralised Code of Conduct Inquiry Taskforce.
The Board received an update on geostrategic issues from Mr Greg Moriarty AO, Secretary of the Department of Defence.