The heads of Australia’s largest government departments have agreed to let the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) survey the APS on perceptions and experiences of corruption at the federal level.
The decision was made at a meeting last week, where NAAC commissioner Paul Brereton updated the secretaries board on the work of the national watchdog and asked for their backing in conducting the public sector-wide survey.
Home Affairs secretary Stephanie Foster updated the board on her department’s progress addressing a recent review into the management of regional processing administration. A meeting communique noted the update outlined “progress on implementing recommendations” on the February review.
The powerful group discussed Australia’s strategic outlook, including government priorities, emerging risks and other strategic issues.
“The board received an update on geostrategic issues 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,” a communique from the meeting last week read.
“The board received an economic and budget update from Ms Jenny Wilkinson PSM, secretary of the Department of Finance, and Ms Victoria Anderson, deputy secretary of the Treasury.”
Another agenda item raised during the meeting was the appointment of new diversity and inclusion ‘champions’. AG’s department secretary Katherine Jones will be First Nations champion, Social Services secretary Ray Griggs will be disability champion, and Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) Jim Betts will be CALD champion.
“The board thanked David Fredericks PSM for his dedication and contribution to making the APS a model employer for people with disability as disability champion,” the communique said.
“The board also acknowledged the work of Ray Griggs AO CSC as an outgoing champion for First Nations.”
The secretaries also received an update on the federal budget and the work of the Australian Government Consulting (AGC).
They further endorsed revised TORs for the board following a review concluded by former mandarin Rosemary Huxtable.
The secretaries agreed to settle the options for governance arrangements (including the number of subcommittees, their purpose, terms of reference, membership duration, work programs and mechanisms), for later in July.
The next secretaries board meeting has been set for June 12, 2024.
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