Secretaries Board communique: 11 December 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 Mr Greg Moriarty AO, Secretary of the Department of Defence, and Ms Elly Lawson, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

IPAA Annual Address to the Australian Public Service 2024

Check against delivery

Acknowledgements 

Thank you Selina for your Welcome to Country.

Please allow me to also acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of these unceded lands and recognise the many 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.

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.

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.