The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has accepted all recommendations for the department from the independent review into the 2020 transfer of 2003 Cabinet records to the National Archives of Australia (NAA).

Secretary Professor Glyn Davis AC appointed Mr Dennis Richardson AC to undertake the review on 1 January 2024. The final report was delivered to the Secretary and Director-General of the NAA, Mr Simon Froude, on 25 January 2024. 

Today, the Auditor-General for Australia, Mr Grant Hehir, has notified the Governor-General that he will resign from his position effective from 15 February 2024.

Mr Hehir has served as Auditor-General since 2015.

The Australian Government has announced a national contribution, on behalf of the people of Australia, to mark the succession to the Danish throne by His Majesty King Frederik the 10th of Denmark, with Her Majesty Queen Mary.

A national contribution of $10,000 will go to registered charity Wildcare Tasmania to support its work towards conservation of the Tasmanian devil.

This contribution will directly support the charity’s research and trials to help the Tasmanian devils fight back from the devastating impact of a facial tumour disease.

In 2020 the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (the Department) transferred 2003 Cabinet records, including those prepared for the National Security Committee of Cabinet, to the National Archives of Australia (the Archives).

This is the normal process and allows time for appropriate consultation with relevant agencies to ensure content released is compliant with exemptions in the Archives Act 1983.

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.