APS Integrity Taskforce Terms of Reference

Context

The Government has an ambitious agenda to strengthen integrity across the Australian public sector. Important reforms underway include the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, strengthening whistleblower protections, measures to enhance the integrity of administrative decision making (including grants processes), and arrangements to increase transparent and merit-based appointments to government boards and other public sector roles.

Quad

The Quad is a diplomatic partnership between Australia, India, Japan and the United States. Quad partners share a vision for an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific where we all can cooperate, trade and thrive.

Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis released

The Office of Impact Analysis (OIA) has released a refreshed version of the Australian Government Guide to Policy Impact Analysis. Alongside a small name change (previously Australian Government Guide to Regulatory Impact Analysis), the guide has a new look and feel with minor content updates.

The guide is an important resource in supporting the Australian Public Service as they develop new policy. It is key in helping government agencies make informed policy decisions and outlines the steps to take when undertaking impact analysis.

Visit to Australia by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu

This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu, the Honourable Alatoi Ishmael Kalsakau Ma’aukora, to Australia.

This is the first time the prime ministers have met since Prime Minister Kalsakau's election last November, and the first time a Vanuatu prime minister has made an official visit to Australia since 2018.

Secretaries Board and Strategic Leadership Group communiques: 8 February 2023

The Secretaries Board met at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) and discussed the following matters.

APS Integrity Taskforce

Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of PM&C, noted the substantial program of work underway to strengthen integrity across the Australian public sector, including the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as the significant issues emerging in the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme.

Visit to Australia by the Prime Minister of Timor-Leste

This week, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency General Taur Matan Ruak, to Australia as a Guest of Government from 7 to 9 February.

In Canberra, the prime ministers reaffirmed both countries' steadfast support for the Australia–Timor-Leste partnership, including through defence and economic cooperation, labour mobility and new areas such as critical infrastructure.

Visit to Canberra by the Prime Minister of New Zealand

Today Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the new Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, to Canberra. It is Prime Minister Hipkins' first international visit since being sworn in.

The prime ministers discussed people issues, climate change and working together in the Pacific.

Australia and New Zealand have a strong and enduring relationship defined by respect, trust and genuine bonds between our people. This year is a milestone year for the trans-Tasman relationship. Our countries will celebrate:

Census participation strategies tested

Research by the Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA) explored how different wording affects how people complete Australia’s biggest data collection exercise – the Census of Population and Housing.

The Census is the most comprehensive data collection in Australia. Conducted every five years by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), it involves over 10 million households and 25 million people and provides invaluable information on the social, economic and cultural characteristics of Australians.

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