Dear colleagues
We are writing to say thank you for all your hard work during these challenging times. and to draw your attention to the newly released COVIDSafe app.
The APS is playing an absolutely crucial role in supporting the Government and the people of Australia .Your professionalism and commitment to policy advice and service delivery, including the support payments like Jobseeker and Jobkeeper. is ensuring that Australians who need help are receiving it. The Government appreciates the continuing provision of the highest quality advice and innovative ideas.
As you will be aware. the Australian Government has launched the COVIDSafe app to slow the spread of coronavirus. We strongly encourage each of you to download the COVIDSafe app onto your mobile phone. as we have both done. The app is an important public health initiative that will help keep you. your family. and your community safe from further spread of coronavirus through early notification of possible exposure.
Created solely as a public health initiative. the app uses mobile phone technology to automate and improve the contact tracing that state and territory health officials are already doing manually. The app is one of the critical tools we will use to help protect the health of the community by quickly alerting people who may be at risk of getting COVID-19.
The app is voluntary and free. and has already been downloaded three million times in three days. We would like to thank everyone who has already downloaded the app. The more people who download this important public health app. the sooner the Government can safely lift restrictions and get back to doing the things we love.
Thank you again for your dedication and continued hard work .
Yours sincerely
Philip Gaetjens
Department of the
Prime Minister and Cabinet
Peter Woolcott AO
Australian Public
Service Commissioner