VPS missions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
From April 2020 the most senior levels of the Victorian public service were structured to focus on a small number of core missions to help respond to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, and to prepare for the recovery and post-crisis restoration of Victoria.
Departmental Secretaries have been appointed as Missions Leads by the Premier, who are responsible for planning and delivering the missions. Mission Leads engage with the Crisis Council of Cabinet (CCC) Coordinating Ministers and support the CCC as the structure’s core decision-making forum.
A Mission Coordination Committee, chaired by the Secretary of DPC, was also established as the key officials’ forum to help deliver the missions, reporting to the CCC. This mission structure has allowed the VPS to effectively focus activity, share resources and coordinate coronavirus (COVID-19) responses across departments.
From June 2020, the initial eight public service missions were consolidated into six key missions, to support a more focused effort on public health response and resilience, and to help deliver the deferred 2020/21 Victorian Budget. These six key missions are:
Mission | Lead secretary | Description |
---|---|---|
Public health resilience | Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services | Leadership of the ongoing public health response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and hospital and system reform |
Economic management and preparation of the 2020/21 Victorian Budget | Secretary, Department of Treasury and Finance | Leadership for monitoring economic and business conditions, and for managing the Victorian Budget and financing including tax reform |
Economic program delivery, supply, logistics and procurement | Secretary, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions |
Leadership and delivery for the economic programs needed to support business and employment Leadership for the supply and transport of essential goods, and the timely procurement of goods and services and potentially premises |
Restoration and reform of public services — people |
Secretary, Department of Justice and Community Safety Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Department of Education and Training |
Leadership for the recovery and reform of key government justice, education and human services |
Restoration and reform of public services — economic (public sector) |
Secretary, Department of Transport Secretary, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning |
Leadership for the recovery and reform of key government economic services, including to support economic recovery by rapidly restarting and commissioning infrastructure projects |
Economic recovery and growth |
Secretary, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions CEO, Invest Victoria |
Leadership to identify recovery and growth strategies and actions for Victoria to recover economically. |
Two enabling programs of work were also established to guide the state’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, and to support the six missions:
Enabling program | Lead secretary | Description |
---|---|---|
Critical risks and opportunities | Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet | Leadership to identify critical risks, vulnerabilities and post-event reform opportunities for the public sector |
Behaviour change, social cohesion and communications | Secretary, Department of Premier and Cabinet | Leadership for the design and coordinated implementation of communication, community activation and engagement activities |
Updated