We have responded to the economic challenges facing the Victorian Public Service (VPS) by working closely with our colleagues in the Department of Treasury and Finance on a range of savings initiatives for VPS departments and public sector entities. This has included implementing the recommendations of the independent VPS review published in December 2025, which was led by former DPC Secretary Helen Silver AO.
As a First Minister’s department, we have played an integral role in supporting the government on a range of independent inquiries, including the Rapid Child Safety Review and Victoria’s contribution to the federal Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion. We have also continued to provide impartial policy and legal advice to the Premier and the ministers supported by DPC, as well as administrative support to the Cabinet.
DPC led the development of Victoria’s China Strategy: For a New Golden Era, which was launched during then Premier Jacinta Allan’s visit to China in September 2025. The strategy guides our economic and cultural engagement with China over the next five years.
The 2025–26 reporting period was a momentous one for Statewide Treaty, which formally commenced in December 2025 when the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 became law. This led to the establishment of Gellung Warl in May 2026, the independent entity leading the strengthened relationship between Victoria’s First Peoples and the State.
The State Apology to First Peoples was also delivered in December 2025 before a joint sitting of Parliament. DPC played a key role in supporting this historic occasion, as the former Premier acknowledged the impacts upon First Peoples since colonisation.
Victoria’s Multicultural Review was published in September 2025, with DPC playing a leading role in supporting the government’s response. This included preparing legislation to establish a new entity, Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria, which will consolidate the functions of the Multicultural Affairs branch in DPC and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
We delivered a number of events of state significance in 2025–26, including multicultural events, state memorial services and state funerals. This included the State Funeral Service for Neale Daniher, the 2025 Australian of the Year, which was held at the MCG in June 2026.
DPC also commenced preparations for the 2026 caretaker period and state election by drafting and publishing the Guidelines on the Caretaker Conventions. The guidelines were published in June 2026 and apply to all Victorian public sector employees.
I welcome the release of our 2025–26 Annual Report and acknowledge the important contributions of every DPC staff member during the reporting period. I particularly acknowledge my predecessor as Secretary, Jeremi Moule, who led DPC and the Victorian Public Service from 2020 to 2026 with great distinction through a period of significant change for both the department and the VPS more broadly.
Chris Barrett
Secretary
Updated