Dear colleagues

Restrictions in states and territories are relaxing and we are emerging from lockdowns across much of the nation. This is a welcome change after a challenging 18 months.

2021 has been another critical year for the APS. Our focus has been on the nation’s recovery from the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Returning to our usual workplaces is a positive milestone and a shift towards some normality for all of us. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and return to our team environments.

Ministers (including Parliamentary Secretaries or Assistant Ministers) may need to travel overseas for a variety of reasons, for example, to undertake negotiations and discussions with overseas counterparts, to put Australia’s view at international meetings, to represent Australia on significant occasions and to gain first hand experience in areas of relevance to their duties. 

Australians deserve good government.

The Albanese Government is committed to integrity, fairness, honesty and accountability and Ministers in my Government (including Assistant Ministers) will observe standards of probity, governance and behaviour worthy of the Australian people.

Ministers hold high public office and are entrusted with considerable privilege and power. The people of Australia are entitled to expect that, in the discharge of our duties, we will act in a manner that is consistent with the highest ethical standards.

In May 2018, the Government commissioned an Independent Review of the Australian Public Service (APS). The Review's Final Report was delivered in 2019 by David Thodey AO, Chair of the independent panel.

Information on the independent review process including the terms of reference is available via Trove.

Current information on the reform of the Australian Public Service is available on the Australian Public Service (APS) Reform website.

Proclamation of King Charles the Third

On 11 September 2022 (AEST), the Hon David Hurley AC CVO DSC (Rtd), the then Governor-General, proclaimed Prince Charles Philip Arthur George to be King Charles the Third, by the Grace of God King of Australia and his other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth. This Proclamation was made following a meeting of the Federal Executive Council and was signed by the Governor-General and the Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP.

The agency-level highlights report contains a summary of PM&C employee census results and includes aggregated agency data.

The purpose of the 2022-23 Portfolio Budget Statements (PB Statements) is to inform Senators and Members of Parliament of the proposed allocation of resources to government outcomes by entities within the portfolio. Entities receive resources from the annual appropriations acts, special appropriations (including standing appropriations and special accounts), and revenue from other sources.