National Federation Reform Council meeting

The National Federation Reform Council (NFRC), made up of the Prime Minister, Premiers, Chief Ministers, Treasurers and President of the Australian Local Government Association, met virtually Friday 10 December.

The NFRC reflected on the achievements of Australian governments and the Australian community in 2021, including collaborative efforts on the COVID-19 health response and vaccine rollout. 

IPAA Annual Address to the APS 2021

Check against delivery

Introduction

Dhawura nguna dhawura Ngunawal.
Yanggu ngalamanyin dhunimanyin.
Ngunawalwari dhawurawari.
Dindi wanggiralidjinyin.

In the language of the traditional owners, this means: This is Ngunnawal Country. Today we are all meeting together on this Ngunnawal Country. We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Elders.

We’re fortunate to be able to come together in person as well as virtually.

Nominations open for the 2022 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science.

This is your opportunity to nominate your leaders, employees, colleagues and peers for Australia’s most prestigious science awards.

The Awards recognise outstanding achievements in science, research-based innovation, and teaching our next generation about the important role science plays in our lives.

The Prizes include five Science and Innovation Prizes and two Science Teaching Prizes. Each year, the Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science award up to a total of $750,000 in prize money.

APS Mobility Framework in action

The Australian Public Service (APS) Commission released the APS Mobility Framework in April of this year.

The Framework supports and guides members of the APS to use mobility as a strategic workforce tool, focussing on three high value uses of mobility: addressing surges or peaks in demand, solving complex problems, and developing employees. 

Public Service Commissioner Peter Woolcott AO stressed the importance of mobility in the public sector.

Introducing the 2022 Australians of the Year finalists

Thirty-three inspirational Australians have been named as the national finalists for the Australian of the Year Awards.

Each of the national finalists have been nominated for an Australian of the Year Award by the National Australia Day Council due to their impact and achievement in a range of sectors.

These sectors include science and medicine, social and community projects, human rights advocacy, social entrepreneurship, sustainability and contributions to the pandemic response.

100 years of the Flanders poppy

Caption: Australian Army Captain Dean Varian, Operations Officer of Australia's Federation Guard places a poppy for his great uncle Theo on the Roll of Honour at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, ACT, 1 October 2019. Photo Credit: Department of Defence.

Red poppies are synonymous with Remembrance Day commemorations around the world.

This year celebrates 100 years since the Flanders Poppy was adopted as the commemorative flower of remembrance by The Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League of Australia (the League).

2021 Prime Minister’s Prizes for Science

Professor Edward C. Holmes from the University of Sydney has won the 2021 Prime Minister’s Prize for Science for his groundbreaking work in COVID-19 research.

Professor Holmes was the first person in the world to share the genome sequence of the COVID-19 virus.

The impact of sharing this vital information has had on the global scientific response to the virus was immense, allowing for work to begin on developing a vaccine, just days following the publication of his findings.