Coordinate the Australian health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

All Australian Government agencies’ actions are coordinated and well delivered to ensure the health effects of COVID-19 in the Australian community are minimised.

The Australian health response to the COVID-19 pandemic is implemented through effective cooperation between all levels of government through National Cabinet.

• Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is effective by international standards.
• National Cabinet is able to make timely and effective decisions based on high quality evidence-based advice.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 15–18

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through data analysis

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieve the measures and targets under this key activity. Australia’s successful response to COVID-19 has resulted in low numbers of community transmissions and related deaths when compared with other countries.

As at 30 June 2021, there were 30,610 confirmed COVID-19 cases and, sadly, 910 deaths in Australia. More than 20.6 million tests had been undertaken.

Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout commenced on 22 February 2021. As at 30 June, more than 7.8 million vaccine doses had been administered and over 29% of eligible Australians have had a first dose of a vaccine.

PM&C proactively engaged in supporting states and territories through the National Partnership on COVID-19 Response. We supported the management of health-related measures, including strengthening suicide prevention and mental health supports; developing economic support measures to help Australians affected by outbreaks (including the COVID-19 Disaster Payment and the Pandemic Disaster Leave Payment); and facilitating efforts for safe return of Australians overseas.

PM&C continues to regularly brief the Prime Minister and support his engagement at the National Cabinet. PM&C works closely with the Department of Health and other relevant departments when developing advice on Australia’s COVID-19 response.

We faced some challenges with the vaccine rollout as a result of the impact of supply constraints and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation recommendation that the Pfizer vaccine is preferred over the AstraZeneca vaccine for adults aged under 60 years. New and emerging COVID-19 variants of concern will pose challenges to Australia’s management of and response to COVID-19.

During the forward estimates, PM&C will continue to collaborate across government to ensure the vaccine rollout remains on track. We will share information with states and territories through a number of intergovernmental forums to ensure that governments remain responsive to emerging COVID-19 risks. PM&C will ensure that support provided to Australians through the national COVID-19 response follows a proactive approach and balances consideration of social and economic factors.

Ensure vulnerable Australians are supported during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Australian welfare system is targeted to assist those most adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Welfare reforms designed to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic assist the most vulnerable members of Australian society and are consistent with the JobMaker Plan.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 15–18

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through data analysis and impact evaluation

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieve the measure and target under this key activity.

In 2020, the Government introduced a series of payments to support Australians with the economic impact of COVID-19 and state and territory based lockdowns.

PM&C coordinated with the Department of Home Affairs and Services Australia to implement several payments:

• The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment supports workers in any state or territory who have no paid leave entitlements and have been directed by a health official to self-isolate or quarantine because they have COVID-19, are a close contact or have to care for someone who needs to isolate.
• The Crisis Payment for National Health Emergency (COVID-19) is a one-off payment for individuals affected by COVID-19 who are eligible for an income support payment and in severe financial hardship.
• The COVID-19 Disaster Payment supports workers who are unable to earn their usual income as a result of state-imposed movement restrictions, lockdowns and Commonwealth-declared hotspots.

On 23 February 2021, the Government announced permanent reforms to Australia’s social security system to provide enhanced support for unemployed Australians, consistent with the JobMaker Plan. The Government:

• increased the basic rate of most working-age payments by $50 per fortnight
• established a permanent $150 income free area for most JobSeeker and Youth Allowance (Other) payment recipients.

These changes benefited around 1.9 million Australians. They commenced on 1 April 2021 following passage of the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Income Support) Bill 2021.

PM&C played a key role in the development of these reforms. We engaged with Commonwealth agencies on the transition from temporary coronavirus support measures to longer term reforms. We supported cross-agency engagement at Senior Executive Service (SES) level interdepartmental committees and officer-level working groups and provided advice on and drew together relevant policy initiatives from across the APS with a whole-of-government perspective. We also undertook significant analysis of existing payment settings, including to help ensure the increase to the base rate balanced payment adequacy with work incentives and fiscal sustainability.

A series of complementary changes to mutual obligation requirements were introduced alongside the working-age payment changes. These changes will strike the right balance between providing support for people and maintaining incentives to work.

In April 2021, the number of people on JobSeeker Payment and Youth Allowance (Other) fell by around 120,000. This continues the downward trend in the number of people receiving the JobSeeker Payment since the peak of the pandemic in May 2020. However there remained around 1.2 million people on JobSeeker and Youth Allowance (Other) as at 30 April 2021 (around 360,000 more recipients than in January 2020).

Drive and coordinate the Government’s education and skills reforms to build social resilience, develop human capital and support economic recovery, including expanding micro credentials and better matching skills training to demand in current and future jobs.

The Government’s JobTrainer package is delivered effectively in partnership with the states and territories to help Australians upskill and reskill.

The Heads of Agreement for Skills Reform is implemented effectively to improve the Vocational Education and Training system.

• The JobTrainer Fund is established through agreement with the states and territories.
• Support is provided to employers to retain and employ new apprentices during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The new National Skills Agreement is developed through National Cabinet and its Committees.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 15–18

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through milestone delivery, data analysis and informal feedback

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieving the measures and targets under this key activity. We are involved in a range of reforms and activities that focus on ways to continue to match training to demand for skilled workers in current and future jobs.

In 2020–21, PM&C coordinated and supported an ambitious suite of vocational education and training reforms and investments across a number of economic updates. We collaborated closely with other Commonwealth agencies and provided high-quality and timely advice to the Prime Minister and his office.

PM&C supported negotiations with states and territories in the establishment of the JobTrainer Fund. All jurisdictions agreed to partner in the Fund and have met their performance milestones to date. At 31 May 2021, there were 162,589 enrolments in JobTrainer places across Australia. A 6-monthly review is underway – this will provide a detailed analysis of the JobTrainer Fund’s progress.

Building on the initial success of the program, in the 2021–22 Budget the Government announced that the Fund would be extended and expanded.

In 2020–21, temporary wage subsidies provided significant support to employers with existing and new apprentices. The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements program met its initial 100,000 target in less than 5 months and was subsequently uncapped/extended in the 2021–22 Budget. As at 24 June 2021, there were 168,373 registrations for the program, and the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees program has supported 68,179 employers of 136,105 apprentices.

During the year, the Skills National Cabinet Reform Committee and Council of Federal Financial Relations met regularly to develop and negotiate the new National Skills Agreement. PM&C played a pivotal role in shaping the Skills National Cabinet Reform Committee and its terms of reference – this was critical to the negotiation of the National Skills Agreement. This was one of the first committees set up under the new National Cabinet Reform Committee arrangements. We also supported bilateral and official-level meetings.

Priorities for the new National Skills Agreement include adopting a new funding model linked with efficient pricing and the skills needed by employers; and developing and funding accredited micro-credentials.

Drive the Government’s mental health and towards zero suicide agenda.

The Prime Minister’s Suicide Prevention Adviser provides interim and final advice to the Prime Minister.

PM&C working with the Department of Health drives the consolidated Government response to the Productivity Commission report into mental health.

The National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide Prevention (the National Commissioner) is established through legislation and appointed.

• The Prime Minister’s Suicide Prevention Adviser provides interim and final advice to the Prime Minister by August and December 2020 respectively.
• A consolidated response to the Productivity Commission report into mental health includes a package of reforms to modernise the Australian mental health system.
• Legislation establishing the position of National Commissioner and their office passes Parliament and a National Commissioner is appointed.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 15–18

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through milestone delivery

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieve the measures and targets under this key activity.

Final Advice of the National Suicide Prevention Adviser

The Prime Minister’s National Suicide Prevention Adviser (NSPA) delivered final advice to the Prime Minister in December 2020. The advice was released publicly on 19 April 2021.

PM&C supported the work of the NSPA and the National Suicide Prevention Taskforce and briefed the Prime Minister and Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, the Hon David Coleman MP, on the work of the NSPA.

Response to the Productivity Commission

As part of the 2021–22 Budget, the Government announced a $2.3 billion investment in the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan to lead reform in the mental health and suicide prevention system. The plan informed the Government response to the final reports of the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Mental Health and the NSPA.

PM&C supported the Department of Health and worked closely with other Commonwealth agencies to develop the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. We supported whole-of-government mental health and suicide prevention reform, including supporting cross-agency engagement at SES interdepartmental committees.

Legislation to establish the position of National Commissioner

On 19 April 2021, the Prime Minister announced a Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

The position of the National Commissioner and the Royal Commission are intended to operate in a complementary way to achieve long-term change. For this reason, legislation establishing the position of the National Commissioner and their office will not be passed until Government amendments have been made to ensure the legislation complements the work of the Royal Commission.

Deliver key priorities for gender equality and women’s safety.

Implementation of the Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 and developing the next National Plan.

• The Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010-2022 is implemented and consultation on the next national plan is commenced.

Participating in targeted international fora on gender equality issues, including the Commission on the Status of Women.

Drive an increase for women in leadership positions, including gender diversity on Australian Government boards.

• Progress is made on achieving the Government’s target of women holding 50% of Australian Government board positions overall.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 15–18

Result

Measure 1: On track

Measure 2: On track

Measure 3: On track

Methodology

Evaluation through milestone delivery and data analysis

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieve the measures and targets under this key activity.

The Fourth Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children sets out an ambitious but practical agenda to achieve change and reduce domestic, family and sexual violence against women and their children across 5 priority areas. Implementation of the plan is progressing well and the majority of initiatives are completed or on track. Delivery mechanisms for most initiatives that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 were adjusted to support implementation.

The Office for Women (OFW) commenced virtual and face-to-face consultations to inform the development of the next National Plan, building on the findings of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs’ Inquiry into Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence, which was published on 1 April 2021.

The OFW supported the Minister for Women, as co-chair of the Women’s Safety Taskforce, to work with jurisdictions on the implementation of the Fourth Action Plan and the development of the next National Plan. In collaboration with the Department of Social Services, we supported work across government to develop a $1.1 billion funding package as part of the 2021–22 Women’s Budget Statement.

The OFW supported Australia’s engagement in a range of international forums, including the Commission on the Status of Women. We also supported the Government’s successful campaign to elect Natasha Stott Despoja to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. Her 4-year term commenced on 1 January 2021. She is the only Oceania representative on the committee.

The OFW led the whole-of-government development of the Australian National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 2021–2031, which renews the Australian Government’s commitment to the full and equal participation of women and girls in peace and security arrangements. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Women released the new Action Plan on 12 April 2021.

Progress against the Government’s target of women holding 50% of Australian Government positions overall is progressing well. On 31 December 2020, women held 49.5% of Government board positions. This is an increase of 1.0 percentage points from 30 June 2020, and it is the highest overall result since reporting began in 2009.

Improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

All Australian Government agencies contribute to the development of the Commonwealth Closing the Gap Implementation Plan.

The Government is provided with options for a voice for Indigenous Australians and constitutional recognition.

• The Closing the Gap Implementation plan is on track for delivery by 31 July 2021 through National Cabinet.
• The Government has been provided with options for a voice for Indigenous Australians and constitutional recognition, developed in close consultation with First Nations peoples.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 15–18

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through milestone delivery

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieving the measures and targets under this key activity.

Commonwealth Closing the Gap Implementation Plan

The National Agreement on Closing the Gap aims to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and governments to work together to overcome the entrenched inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and achieve life outcomes equal to those of all Australians. Each party to the agreement is working on an implementation plan setting out how policies and programs are aligned to the agreement and what actions will be taken to achieve the priority reforms.

The Joint Council on Closing the Gap agreed to formally receive implementation plans from all parties at the 6 August 2021 meeting. We are on track to providing the Commonwealth Implementation Plan on Closing the Gap in early August. The Prime Minister is scheduled to table the Commonwealth Implementation Plan in Parliament on 5 August 2021.

PM&C is working closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) to coordinate the development and delivery of the Plan with Commonwealth agencies, and in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders. We are:

• monitoring progress and providing advice through regular meetings with NIAA and key stakeholders, including Closing the Gap Joint Working Group with the Coalition of Peaks, Partnership Working Group with jurisdictions and Coalition of Peaks, and state and territory officials meetings
• identifying and providing advice on other relevant policies and initiatives across all Commonwealth agencies – for example, convening a cross-agency deep dive with the Coalition of Peaks on implementation of Priority Reform 2 in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap
• disseminating information with PM&C policy areas about the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the implementation plan
• providing advice on the Cabinet process and new Commonwealth–state relations architecture.

Indigenous Voice and constitutional recognition

In 2017, the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the Referendum Council called for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Australian Constitution.

In 2018, the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples recommended that the Australian Government initiate a process of co-design to develop detail for an Indigenous voice.

On 30 October 2019, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, announced the Indigenous Voice co-design process, established to develop models to enhance local and regional decision making and options to provide a voice for Indigenous Australians to government.

Government consideration of options for a voice for Indigenous Australians and constitutional recognition, developed in close consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is on track.

In November and December 2020, the Government considered the initial options for an Indigenous Voice. The options were developed by the co-design groups and outlined in their interim report. PM&C collaborated with the NIAA through the Cabinet process and provided briefing to support the Prime Minister’s and the Cabinet’s consideration of the report.

On 9 January 2021, Stage 2 of the Indigenous Voice co-design process was launched. Consultation on the initial options took place across Australia with both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people. The co-design groups considered feedback from consultations with over 9,400 people across Australia, both in person and online, to help refine proposals and recommendations for their final report to the Australian Government, which is expected to be published in 2021.

PM&C will continue to collaborate with the NIAA as the final report is progressed, including facilitating consultation with other Commonwealth agencies and states and territories as required.

Drive the delivery of nationally significant child safety reforms including implementing key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The Prime Minister and Assistant Minister receive high quality and timely advice on the implementation of key child safety reforms including:

• Delivery of the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse.
• A nationally harmonised approach to child safety in organisations, based on the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.
• Ongoing implementation of the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.

• The National Strategy is delivered within agreed timeframes and includes an outcomes framework that will achieve genuine impact over the 10 year life of the Strategy including actions to reduce the incidences of child sexual abuse.
• A nationally harmonised approach to child safety in organisations is agreed with the states and territories.
• The Commonwealth Child Safe Framework is amended to include a self-reporting requirement for Commonwealth non-corporate entities.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 15–18

Result

On track

Methodology

Evaluation through data analysis, stakeholder survey and case study

Analysis

PM&C is on track to achieving the measures and targets under this key activity. In 2020–21, the National Office for Child Safety (National Office) worked across governments and with non-government stakeholders to deliver on the performance measure and progress the targets.

The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse

The National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse (National Strategy) will focus on preventing child sexual abuse in all settings, including in institutions, within families, and online. The National Strategy is a key recommendation from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The National Office is leading the design and implementation of the National Strategy in close consultation with state, territory and Commonwealth government agencies. Key stakeholders surveyed were positive about the National Office’s work in leading the development of the National Strategy.

The National Office worked closely with the lead researchers of the Australian Child Maltreatment Study throughout 2021 to ensure robust evidence underpins the National Strategy’s monitoring and evaluation framework.

In April 2021, the National Office conducted an extensive consultation process, inviting more than 600 non-government stakeholders to participate to ensure the National Strategy’s vision, objectives and values reflect the diverse needs and expectations of key population groups.

In May 2021, the Prime Minister announced $146 million in funding to deliver foundational measures under the National Strategy. Additional funding and measures will be announced when the National Strategy is launched.

From 1 July 2021, the National Strategy will be endorsed by senior officials across Commonwealth, state and territory governments. It has commenced progression through ministerial clearances, and is on track to be publicly launched in late 2021.

Nationally harmonised approach to child safety in organisations

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations (the Child Safe Principles) give effect to the child safe standards recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. They set out a nationally consistent approach to creating organisational cultures and practices that promote the safety and wellbeing of children in Australia.

In line with recommendations from the Royal Commission, the National Office led discussions with state and territory governments to support the long-term goal of establishing a harmonised approach to implementing the Child Safe Principles. This work will be taken forward under the National Strategy.

To support organisations across Australia to implement the Child Safe Principles in a consistent and culturally safe way, the National Office partnered with the Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia and the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care – National Voice for Our Children to develop and publish information resources, including a poster, pamphlet, information booklet and 9-minute animated video.

Commonwealth Child Safe Framework

In 2020–21, the National Office consulted across Commonwealth agencies to revise the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework to improve accountability and transparency. Feedback from key stakeholders showed that, on average, stakeholders were positive about the National Office's support for ongoing implementation of the framework. The second edition of the framework was published in December 2020 (see the case study below).

Ensure the delivery of the Social Impact Investment (SII) Expert Panel’s final report to Government.

The Final Report of the Social Impact Investing Taskforce is delivered within agreed timeframes to the satisfaction of the Prime Minister, the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and key stakeholders.

• Reports are delivered to agreed deadlines.
• Consultation with state and territory governments, the private, not-for-profit sectors, philanthropy, and relevant Commonwealth agencies is documented.

Source

Corporate Plan 2020–24, pp 15–18

Result

Achieved

Methodology

Evaluation through data analysis

Analysis

In 2020–21, PM&C achieved the targets under this key activity by supporting the delivery of the Social Impact Investment (SII) Expert Panel’s final report to Government.

The SII Expert Panel was tasked with developing a strategy for the Commonwealth role in the SII market, drawing on international, private sector and state and territory government experience. The strategy will identify a way forward for Commonwealth investments in social impact investing, including how it can provide additional solutions to address entrenched disadvantage, achieve measurable social impact and facilitate private capital investment in the SII market.

The PM&C taskforce supported the SII Expert Panel in delivering the interim report to Government on 20 December 2019, within the agreed time frame.

As part of the development of the final report, the taskforce consulted with over 273 individuals from 80 organisations from the private, not-for-profit and philanthropic sectors through roundtables, targeted consultations and workshops. In addition, the taskforce engaged with all state and territory governments and regularly consulted with Commonwealth agencies through a working group. The consultation was documented in a 15,000-word report which informed the final report.

The final report was originally due for delivery in mid-2020 but was delayed due to COVID-19 redeployments. The Prime Minister has written to the Chair of the SII Expert Panel thanking him for submitting the final report and indicating that the Government is considering the report’s recommendations. The Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Hon Ben Morton MP has also written to the Chair to thank him and the taskforce for their interim report.

The SII Expert Panel was impressed with the taskforce’s effort. When surveyed, they commended the PM&C team’s professionalism, commitment, integrity and working relationship. All respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the following statements:

• The PM&C team has provided high-quality support to the panel, which has assisted the panel to develop its advice.
• The PM&C team has facilitated the panel's engagement with Commonwealth ministers and advisors and key SII sector stakeholders, including the private and not-for-profit sectors; philanthropy; Commonwealth agencies; and state and territory governments.
• The PM&C team has produced timely, high-quality and useful written work that has assisted the panel.
• The PM&C team has supported the panel to produce a high-quality final report that meets panel expectations.
• The PM&C team has managed communication and facilitated meetings well in the context of COVID-19 constraints and the temporary hibernation of the taskforce.

Panel members commented that the taskforce’s work had been ‘fabulous and the work effort nothing short of splendid’. They said that ‘the resulting report with its practical and implementable set of recommendations is something we can all be proud of’.