Attorney-General's Department

29/05/2026

Our Family and Community Safety Branch was privileged to collaborate with Commonwealth, state and territory policing agencies to deliver a new, world-leading training and education package to support police respond to victims and survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence (FDSV).

On 18 May 2026, the Attorney-General, the Honourable Michelle Rowland MP joined the Secretary, Katherine Jones PSM, AFP Deputy Commissioner Scott Lee APM, and the ACT Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Dr Marisa Paterson MLA to participate in a demonstration of the virtual reality training session.

The training was developed in close consultation with FDSV victims and survivors, relying on real case studies to focus on topics such as reducing instances of misidentification, increasing awareness of coercive control, improving recognition of technology facilitated abuse, and responding in a trauma-informed and victim-centred way.

Read the media release on our website for more information: https://ministers.ag.gov.au/media-centre/world-leading-family-domestic-and-sexual-violence-law-enforcement-training-rolling-out-nationally-26-05-2026

28/05/2026

We have commenced a public consultation on Australia’s draft seventh periodic report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

We welcome your views on Australia’s implementation of its civil and political rights under the ICCPR.

To learn more and have your say, visit: https://consultations.ag.gov.au/rights-and-protections/iccpr/

The consultation closes on Friday 19 June 2026 at 23:59 (AEST).

27/05/2026

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme ‘All In’ calls on all Australians to commit to reconciliation in meaningful and sustained ways, every day.

On 27 May we mark the 59th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, when more than 90 per cent of Australians voted to remove discriminatory provisions relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from the Constitution and include them in the national census. This was a significant step toward recognition and equality.

National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity for all of us to reflect, learn and act.

To learn more about events across Australia visit the Reconciliation Australia website: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/our-work/national-reconciliation-week/

We also encourage you to explore our Reconciliation Action Plan 2025-27 and consider how you can contribute to reconciliation in your everyday work and community: https://www.ag.gov.au/about-us/publications/attorney-generals-department-innovate-reconciliation-action-plan-2020-2022

11/05/2026

On 8 May 2026, the Attorney-General announced the new civil society members of Australia’s next Open Government Forum.

The Forum is a core component of Australia’s participation in the Open Government Partnership, a multilateral initiative that promotes open government and public sector integrity.

Civil society members will work in partnership with government members to develop, implement and monitor Australia’s Fourth Open Government National Action Plan, building on the important work delivered under Australia’s Third National Action Plan 2024 – 2025.

Read the media release on our website to learn more: https://ministers.ag.gov.au/media-centre/appointment-open-government-forum-members-08-05-2026

04/05/2026

Privacy matters. How we deal with it shapes trust in our services and institutions.

🛡️Privacy Awareness Week runs from 4 to 10 May, with this year’s theme: “Trust is built here. In every privacy complaint. In every resolution.”

🧩 Privacy complaints aren't just problems to solve, they're signals. They reveal where systems can improve, where protections can be stronger and where trust matters most.

🤝 Our department administers the identity verification services, a trusted verification system relied upon for over 1.5 million identity checks per week. It is a crucial part of moving Australia towards a secure digital economy.

Good privacy habits should remain even after Privacy Awareness Week ends. It’s a great reminder that building good privacy habits is something we can practice all year round.

We encourage you to:
🔒 use strong security habits, including privacy settings and unique passwords
⚙️ be aware of your digital footprint and the kinds of personal information you share online
🔍 stay alert to potential risks, including unexpected requests for information or suspicious emails.

Trust doesn't happen by accident; it is built here.

Find out more on the Privacy Awareness Week 2026 website: https://www.oaic.gov.au/engage-with-us/events/privacy-awareness-week/paw-2026

21/04/2026

Policy writing might not sound glamorous, but it is powerful stuff.

At its heart, it's all about better serving our communities and supporting officer safety and wellbeing.

This week we’re in Apia, Samoa honing the skills of policy writers who interpret legislation to guide law enforcement and benefit the community.

Members of the Pacific Police Policy Network (3PN) are teaming up with Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services to build confidence and unpack the process of writing clear, practical policy that really works.

Reflecting on the performance management theme of the workshop, Acting Deputy Commissioner Papalii Eneliko Masipau said ‘policy on the shelf changes nothing, we need a tool in our hands. It must make us accountable, linking officers’ daily duties to goals.’

A big thank you to the Pacific Community for Law Enforcement Cooperation for supporting the three day program, and to the facilitators from Samoa Police, Prisons & Corrections Services, RSIPF, Australian Federal Police and Australia’s Attorney General’s Department for sharing their knowledge and experience.

13/04/2026

12/04/2026

Applications for the 2027 Australian Government Graduate Program close today!

Don’t miss the chance to start your career working with other highly capable graduates on projects that help shape laws and policies that impact all Australians.

Submit your application before 11:30pm AEST 13 April 2026: https://content.apsjobs.gov.au/career-pathways/graduate-programs

08/04/2026

The Australian Government has passed legislation to establish an independent Commonwealth Parole Board.

The legislation will ensure critical decisions about whether federal offenders are released on parole are made by experts who have the qualifications, experience and knowledge to assess the risks posed to the community.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.ag.gov.au/crime/federal-offenders/commonwealth-parole-board

07/04/2026

Ellen joined the department as a 2025 graduate to work at the Australian Government Solicitor.

It felt like the right choice for her because of the legal practice opportunities and exposure to legal issues across the Commonwealth.

“One day you might be doing some urgent research and taking a file note in a client meeting, the next you’re reviewing a contract or evidence for an upcoming court case - no matter what, every day will be different.”

Her advice to future graduates is to try everything at least once.

“Some of my favourite and most rewarding experiences as a graduate were things I thought I wouldn’t enjoy - keep an open mind and the program might surprise you.”

Visit the Career Pathways graduate portal to learn more and apply for our 2027 intake: https://content.apsjobs.gov.au/career-pathways/graduate-programs