The Secretaries Board met today at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet to discuss the following matters.
National Agenda
The Board received an update from Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, on Commonwealth-State priorities with cross-portfolio implications.
Coordination of Commonwealth Investment in Jurisdictions
The Board received an update from Professor Glyn Davis AC and discussed the current governance arrangements and coordination of Commonwealth investments.
Closing the Gap
The Board received an update on Closing the Gap, including recent key milestones and priorities for 2024, and agreed to regular review by the Board on actions to progress Closing the Gap.
The Board noted the pathway towards a Joint Council Response to the Productivity Commission’s three-yearly review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
Remote Australia Framework
The Secretaries Board discussed ongoing work to develop a Remote Australia Framework to strengthen partnerships to achieve improved outcomes in remote Australia.
Public Sector Finances
Professor Glyn Davis AC led a discussion on public sector finance and departmental resilience.
Artificial Intelligence
Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Australian Public Service Commissioner, provided an update on lessons from the Global Government Leaders’ Forum in Singapore in January 2024.
The Board received an update from Ms Meghan Quinn PSM, Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and Mr Chris Fechner, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Transformation Agency on the AI in Government Taskforce and discussed implications of AI, including how to leverage the opportunities, manage the risks and build capability within the APS.
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Strategy
Secretaries Board endorsed the APS Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Employment Strategy and Action Plan for Ministerial consideration. The Plan provides a platform of five Headline Actions for building cultural understanding and capability across the APS, and cultural safety for CALD employees.
Geostrategic update
The Board received an update from Ms Jan Adams AO PSM, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Mr Greg Moriarty AO, Secretary of the Department of Defence.
Economic and Budget update
The Board received an update from Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, Secretary of the Department of Finance, and Dr Steven Kennedy PSM, Secretary of the Treasury.
Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) Annual update
The Board noted the AGSVA Annual Update 2022-2023.
COO Committee bi-annual update
The Board noted the COO Committee key strategic priorities for the 2024 calendar year and updated COO Committee Terms of Reference.
Next Meetings
The next Secretaries Board meeting is scheduled for 10 April 2024.