Putting Tasmanians at the heart of our advice and services
The Department of Premier and Cabinet performs a central role within the Tasmanian Government, driving whole-of-government leadership and collaboration to deliver meaningful outcomes for the Tasmanian community.
As the strategic core of the Tasmanian State Service, we support the Premier, Cabinet and partner agencies through expert policy advice and coordination, service delivery and intergovernmental engagement.
From whole-of-government digital transformation and emergency management to inclusive community partnerships and strategic policy development, we work across local, state and national government sectors to shape a responsive, resilient and future-focused public service.
Our commitment is to always put the Tasmanian people at the heart of our advice and services.
Our purpose
We help the Tasmanian Government deliver for the community.
Our values
Our values guide the way we work, make decisions and behave. Our values apply to how we work with others both internally and externally. They inform our strategic planning, recruitment and performance management and are measured regularly.
- Respect: We treat everyone with respect and kindness.
- Excellence: We strive for excellence at all times.
- Customer focus: Our customers are at the centre of what we do and how we do it.
- Working together: We support and respect one another and work with others to achieve results.
- Professional: We act with integrity and are accountable and transparent.
Our structure
To best support the government and the Tasmanian community, we manage our functions across the following work groups:
- Community and Government Services
- Corporate Services
- Governance and Risk
- Keeping Children Safe
- Office of Parliamentary Council
- Policy and Reform
- Strategy and Delivery
- State Service Management Office
Contact details are available on the Contact Us page.
Our locations
We are located across Tasmania, including King Island and Flinders Island. The majority of locations provide services directly to the Tasmanian community through Service Tasmania.
Our Secretary
Kathrine Morgan-Wicks
BA(Hons) LLB(Hons) LLM, Barrister and Solicitor (HCA, SupCt VIC), Solicitor (SupCt Qld)
Kathrine was appointed as Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Head of the State Service in April 2024. She has been a Head of Agency in the Tasmanian State Service for nine years, with both central and frontline state sector experience.
Kathrine’s 35-year career has spanned the private and public sectors, including 14 years working as a corporate lawyer across Australia and overseas with Australia’s corporate regulator: the Australian Securities and Investments Commission.
A move to Tasmania brought with it the opportunity to shift from the Commonwealth to the Tasmanian State Service. In February 2014 she commenced as a Deputy Secretary (Budget and Finance) at the Department of Treasury and Finance, leading her division through the delivery of four State Budgets in just over three years, while quickly coming up to speed with the Tasmanian business and community context.
In 2017, Kathrine was appointed Acting Secretary for the Department of Justice and was confirmed in the role in early 2018. In the role, she was responsible for overseeing 1400-plus employees across 29 locations, with portfolios spanning courts, corrections, WorkSafe Tasmania, consumer protection, planning and building regulation and a $340 million capital program.
In September 2019, Kathrine was appointed Secretary for the Department of Health and became responsible for the delivery of a $3 billion health service including public hospitals, district health services, Ambulance Tasmania, mental health and public health, encompassing over 16,000 employees and volunteers and 300 health sites across Tasmania.
In addition to her legal qualifications, Kathrine has completed graduate courses in business and leadership with the Melbourne Business School and the Harvard Leadership Program.
Corporate governance, financial management and transforming organisations to customer and patient-centric delivery are at the heart of Kathrine’s service-oriented career, culminating in 2020 with her role as State Health Commander for Tasmania during the COVID-19 pandemic. She was awarded the Public Service Medal and included in the COVID-19 National Honour Roll for her work.
Kathrine is a proud mum to two teenage daughters and an adopted greyhound, Bobbi.
Statement of commitment to child and youth safety
All children and young people have the right to feel and be safe, to be heard in matters that affect them and to be protected from harm.
At the Department of Premier and Cabinet, we are accountable for upholding these rights. We embrace our responsibility to guide and achieve positive change across the Tasmanian State Service. We will work as one to put the rights and wellbeing of children and young people at the centre of what we do. We will build and maintain a workplace that is safe for children and young people. We will listen to the diverse needs of all children and young people, no matter their background, culture, abilities or identity.
Our promise goes beyond just words. We are committed to making meaningful and ongoing changes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We will employ the right people. We will embed a culture of self-reflection and continuous improvement. Children and young people will influence decisions that affect them. We will listen to them and learn from them. We will have the courage to change what needs to be changed. We will regularly review our policies and structures through a child and youth safety lens. Our people will be equipped with the skills to recognise and respond to signs of harm.
Our culture will be one where everyone takes responsibility, shares information, and speaks up if something doesn't seem right. Together, we're creating a place where all children and young people are safe from harm. A place where we all protect young people and do what's right, for a safer Tasmania.