The Australian Public Service (APS) Secretaries Board has convened to address concerns within the service.

During the meeting held on August 16, Australia's top public sector leaders approved the inaugural biannual report of the Digital and Data Committee. 

The report highlighted the achievements thus far and outlined the committee's priorities for the remainder of 2023. Additionally, updated terms of reference for the committee received unanimous endorsement.

Integrity issues, particularly those related to the Robodebt Royal Commission, were prominent topics of discussion among the secretaries. 

An APS Senior Executive Service Performance Leadership Framework was established during this meeting, and APS Commissioner Gordon de Brouwer and Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) Secretary Glyn Davis addressed the assembly.

Professor Glyn Davis AC, Secretary of PM&C, presented an update on the government's response to the Robodebt scheme's royal commission. 

Dr Gordon de Brouwer PSM, Australian Public Service Commissioner, shared insights into the centralised process established to investigate alleged code of conduct breaches by APS employees, former employees, and agency heads arising from the Robodebt Royal Commission.

The secretaries also delved into the draft findings of the Productivity Commission's triennial “Closing the Gap” report, reaching a consensus that more strategic leadership was required to expedite action on its four priority reforms outlined in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Furthermore, the board acknowledged the 2022 APS Remuneration Report's findings and pledged to enhance the transparency of agency-level APS Employee Census reports.

Jenny Wilkinson, Secretary of Finance, and Dr. Steven Kennedy, Secretary of the Treasury, provided an update on the national budget and economic outlook.

In terms of organisational developments, the board received an update on the interest generated by the APS' in-house consulting team, known as Australian Government Consulting. 

Lastly, the board endorsed a proposal to expand the Australian Public Service Commission's (APSC) role in Senior Executive Service (SES) recruitment, aiming to create a more cohesive and capable talent pool across the APS.

A separate meeting of the Strategic Leaders Group occurred concurrently, where attendees were briefed by the newly appointed NACC Commissioner Paul Brereton and Auditor-General Grant Hehir from the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO).

The Secretaries Board has scheduled its next meeting for September 13, to be hosted at the PM&C offices, while the Strategic Leaders Group plans to reconvene on November 8.