The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.
The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review (Beijing+30) was held in Bangkok, Thailand in November 2024.
Beijing+30 brought together nations from the Asia-Pacific, to review the region’s progress towards implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) – a global blueprint for advancing women’s and girls’ human rights - adopted in 1995.
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 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.
Check against delivery
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.
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
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.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Lima on 15-16 November, and the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro on 18-19 November. Both APEC and the G20 play a critical role in steering the regional and global economies.
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:
The Women and Women’s Safety Ministerial Council (the Council) was convened virtually today to bring together Commonwealth and state and territory governments to drive national progress on gender equality and gender-based violence.