DOCSLIB.ORG

The Principles of Cabinet

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Principles of Cabinet Queensland Parliament Factsheet The Principles of Cabinet The Role Of Cabinet The current Constitution of Queensland procedures and conventions are designed to Act 2001 provides for a Cabinet consisting bind Cabinet and its associated processes to the of the Premier and a number of other following fundamental principles1: Ministers, to a maximum total of 19 • Cabinet is responsible for the development Ministers. Currently, the Queensland and coordination of the policies of the Cabinet consists of the Premier, who is government; Chief Minister, and 18 other Ministers. The persons comprising the Ministry and • the collective responsibility of Ministers for Cabinet are also members of Executive government decisions requires collective Council. Cabinet meets weekly, with the adherence to all government decisions made Premier (or the Deputy Premier in the in Cabinet. Cabinet decisions reflect collective Premier’s absence) chairing the meetings deliberation and are binding on Cabinet and setting the agenda. When appropriate, Ministers as government policy; the Premier may establish Cabinet • consultation is an essential element of the committees for closer examination of a Cabinet process; specific matter. • the deliberations of Cabinet and Cabinet In the Westminster system of Government, Committees shall be conducted in a secure www.parliament.qld.gov.au Cabinet is one of the major centres and confidential environment, and that of political power. It is the supreme W decision-making body of the Government in matters such as initiating or refining new Government policies, making senior appointments, approving Government expenditure and assenting to important contracts. Cabinet’s decisions are given formal effect through Acts of the Parliament, actions of the Executive Council or the executive powers held by Ministers for the administration of their portfolios. Cabinet collectively and Ministers individually must be responsible to the Crown, the Parliament and to the electorate for their decisions and actions. An effective and efficient Cabinet system is based on particular procedures and conventions. It is essential that those procedures incorporate the processes E [email protected] E [email protected] of consultation, allow for a detailed examination of all submissions placed by Ministers before Cabinet and that all Cabinet deliberations are conducted in a confidential environment. In Queensland, these procedures are outlined in the Members of the public attending a Community Cabinet Queensland Cabinet Handbook. Those meeting. +61 7 3553 6000 P Updated February 2018 Queensland Parliament Factsheet The Principles of Cabinet ongoing confidentiality of Cabinet united front for political reasons and all Ministers and related records shall be are required to give their support in public debate maintained; to collective decisions of the Cabinet and the government. If a Minister is unable to publicly • preparation of business to be support a Cabinet decision, the proper course is for considered by Cabinet is of the that Minister to resign from Cabinet. highest standard reflecting the information needs of Ministers, to Such practices reinforce Cabinet solidarity and ensure informed decision-making can also recognise the power and authority of Cabinet occur in accordance with the public before that of any individual member of Cabinet. interest; Such solidarity of Cabinet portrays a sense of strength and stability of the Government to the • Cabinet proposals reflect a rigorous electorate. Cabinet is collectively responsible to examination of issues, whole of the Crown, the Parliament and to the electorate. government coordination and accord with government policy; Individual Ministerial Responsibility • Cabinet processes are established by Ministers of the Crown are appointed by the the Premier to ensure all Ministers Governor on the advice of the Premier. Their are bound by the same rules and by role is influenced by the rules, conventions high standards of probity; and and expectations of the Westminster system of • Cabinet collectively, and Ministers government. One of the fundamental concepts of individually, are responsible and responsible government is ministerial responsibility. accountable to the Crown, the Not only are Ministers responsible for their Parliament, and ultimately the own individual conduct but as Ministers of the www.parliament.qld.gov.au electorate. Crown they are also responsible to Parliament for the actions of their respective Government W By convention, two fundamental principles of the Westminster system are observed departments. Ministers direct the implementation of Government policy and carry out the tasks in the operation of Cabinet: collective ministerial responsibility and individual of Government administration through those ministerial responsibility. departments. They are responsible to Parliament, Cabinet, the electorate and their political party for Collective Ministerial the conduct of their ministerial affairs. Responsibility Under Westminster convention, the Government Collective responsibility means that all must have the Confidence of the Parliament. If Ministers are bound by the collective a motion of No Confidence in the Government decisions made by Cabinet. Accordingly is passed by the Parliament, all Ministers should Ministers act with and on behalf of their resign. Cabinet colleagues. Ministers must seek Information about the matters that should be Cabinet approval for all their proposals brought by Ministers for the consideration of before making any public announcements. Cabinet and further information about Cabinet Disapproval of any Cabinet decisions may committees can be found in the Queensland be voiced only within Cabinet. It is also Cabinet Handbook. important that the powerful decision- 1 The Queensland Cabinet Handbook, http://www.premiers.qld.gov.au/ making body of Government displays a About_the_department/publications/policies/Governing_Queensland/ E [email protected] E [email protected] +61 7 3553 6000 P.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Cabinet Handbook
    THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA THE CABINET HANDBOOK Cabinet Secretariat Office of the President www.cabinetsecretariat.go.ug December 2008 FOREWORD I am pleased to introduce the Cabinet Handbook which provides clear and comprehensive policy management guidelines for the Cabinet and other arms of Government involved in the policy management process. Cabinet is the highest policy making organ of government and is therefore responsible for policy development and its successful implementation. Cabinet collectively, and Ministers individually, have a primary duty to ensure that government policy best serves the public interest. This Cabinet Handbook outlines the principles by which Cabinet operates. It also sets out the procedures laid down to facilitate Cabinet’s realization of its central role of determining government policy and supporting ministers in meeting their individual and collective responsibilities, facilitating coordinated and strategic policy development. In the recent past, my government has made major contributions in the documentation and improvement of processes and procedures that support decision making at all levels of government. In conformity to our principle of transforming government processes and achieving greater transparency, and effectiveness in our management of policy; my government has focused its attention on introducing best practices in the processes and procedures that support decision making at all levels of Government. This Cabinet Handbook is primarily intended for Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State. However, it must be read by all officers that are in various ways associated with the policy process, so that they are guided to make a better contribution to Cabinet's efficient functioning. The Secretary to Cabinet and the Cabinet Secretariat are available to offer advice and assistance.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter One: the Background and Roles of Shadow Cabinet
    Chapter one: the background and roles of Shadow Cabinet As with most other components of the Australian political system, Shadow Cabinet evolved from an informal process in the British Parliament. From the mid-nineteenth century in Britain, a distinct and organised opposition began to emerge; a leadership group to coordinate its strategy soon followed.1 In the latter half of that century, the Shadow Cabinet became a recognised entity within British politics, though British academic D.R. Turner notes that ‘its use was still limited and its full potential unrecognised’.2 Over time, the Shadow Cabinet slowly solidified its position in the British system, marked most notably in 1937, when the position of Leader of the Opposition began to carry a salary.3 This same development, however, had already taken place in Australia, 17 years earlier, following an initiative of Prime Minister Billy Hughes.4 As academic, Ian Ward notes, this remains the only formal recognition of Shadow Cabinet in Australia; shadow ministers’ salaries are set at the same rate as backbenchers, but they are usually given an allowance—around one-fifth of that allocated to ministers—for researchers and other staff.5 In this chapter, I briefly examine the evolution of the British Shadow Cabinet and how that has impacted the Australian equivalent. I then examine the three roles most commonly ascribed to the British Shadow Cabinet and discuss the extent to which they are evident in the modern Australian Shadow Cabinet. These roles are: organising the Opposition, providing an alternative government and serving as a training ground for future ministers.
    [Show full text]
  • Handbook on Writing Cabinet Notes
    Government of India Cabinet Secretariat Handbook on writing Cabinet Notes Updated till 15.04.2018 Government of India Cabinet Secretariat Handbook on writing Cabinet notes https://cabsec.gov.in FOREWORD The decisions taken by the Cabinet and Committees of the Cabinet are fundamental to the governance of the country and form the basis of policy formulation as also for evaluating the impact of programmes, policies, plans, projects and schemes of the Government. The preparation of correct, accurate and concise Cabinet notes is essential to facilitate decision making at the highest level of the Government. 2. For helping the Ministries/Departments write good quality Cabinet notes that are conceptually clear, lucid and well-organized, the Cabinet Secretariat had prepared a Handbook in 2011, capturing all necessary information on the subject. The compilation has not only assisted the Ministries/ Departments but has also contributed towards improving the quality of Cabinet notes. 3. Several new instructions relating to preparation of Cabinet notes have since been issued. While all these instructions are available on the website of the Cabinet Secretariat (https://cabsec.gov.in), a need has been felt to update the Handbook by reflecting all the extant instructions etc. so that it can continue to serve as a single reference document for preparation of Cabinet notes. Accordingly, the Handbook has been updated. Besides preparation of the Cabinet notes, the Handbook also explains the Rules for disposal of Business in the Government, including the process of amending the Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. 4. I do hope that the Ministries/ Departments will find this updated Handbook useful.
    [Show full text]
  • Australia's System of Government
    61 Australia’s system of government Australia is a federation, a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy. This means that Australia: Has a Queen, who resides in the United Kingdom and is represented in Australia by a Governor-General. Is governed by a ministry headed by the Prime Minister. Has a two-chamber Commonwealth Parliament to make laws. A government, led by the Prime Minister, which must have a majority of seats in the House of Representatives. Has eight State and Territory Parliaments. This model of government is often referred to as the Westminster System, because it derives from the United Kingdom parliament at Westminster. A Federation of States Australia is a federation of six states, each of which was until 1901 a separate British colony. The states – New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania - each have their own governments, which in most respects are very similar to those of the federal government. Each state has a Governor, with a Premier as head of government. Each state also has a two-chambered Parliament, except Queensland which has had only one chamber since 1921. There are also two self-governing territories: the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory. The federal government has no power to override the decisions of state governments except in accordance with the federal Constitution, but it can and does exercise that power over territories. A Constitutional Monarchy Australia is an independent nation, but it shares a monarchy with the United Kingdom and many other countries, including Canada and New Zealand. The Queen is the head of the Commonwealth of Australia, but with her powers delegated to the Governor-General by the Constitution.
    [Show full text]
  • The Republican Monarchy Revisited. Book Review Of: the English
    University of Minnesota Law School Scholarship Repository Constitutional Commentary 2002 The Republican Monarchy Revisited. Book Review Of: The nE glish Constitution. by Walter Bagehot. Edited by Paul Smith Adam Tomkins Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/concomm Part of the Law Commons Recommended Citation Tomkins, Adam, "The Republican Monarchy Revisited. Book Review Of: The nE glish Constitution. by Walter Bagehot. Edited by Paul Smith" (2002). Constitutional Commentary. 34. https://scholarship.law.umn.edu/concomm/34 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University of Minnesota Law School. It has been accepted for inclusion in Constitutional Commentary collection by an authorized administrator of the Scholarship Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE REPUBLICAN MONARCHY REVISITED THE ENGLISH CONSTITUTION. By Walter Bagehot.1 Edited by Paul Smith.2 Cambridge University Press. 2001. Pp. xxxii, 253. $21.00 Adam Tomkins3 Of all the works of nineteenth-century British constitutional scholarship that have come down to us, two stand out. Among lawyers it is Dicel that continues to be revered above all others. But among communities of political scientists and journalists it is Bagehot who has that honor. The centenary of Bagehot's English Constitution was marked in 1967 with the publication of a new edition, edited by Richard Crossman. Crossman was a leading minister in the gov­ ernment of Harold Wilson, who was Prime Minister from 1964- 1970 and again
    [Show full text]
  • A Governors Guide to Children's Cabinets
    A Governor’s Guide to Children’s Cabinets ©NGA CENTER FOR BEST PRACTICES, 444 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, SUITE 267, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20001 Page ii A Governor’s Guide to Children’s Cabinets About NGA The National Governors Association (NGA), founded in 1908, is the instrument through which the nation's governors collectively influence the development and implementation of national policy and apply creative leadership to state issues. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. Through NGA’s standing policy committees, the governors examine and develop policy and address key state and national issues. The NGA Center for Best Practices is considered the nation’s leading authority on state innovation, helping governors and their policy advisors develop and implement effective solutions to governance and policy challenges facing them in their states. The Center works in a number of policy arenas including education, health, technology, human services, workforce development, homeland security and the environment. The Center provides tailored technical assistance, tracks and evaluates state innovations and best practices, and helps governors and their staffs develop cutting-edge solutions to stay ahead of problems. NGA also provides management and technical assistance to both new and incumbent governors. Copyright August 2004 by NGA Center for Best Practices, 444 North Capitol Street, Suite 267, Washington, D.C. 20001-1512. All rights reserved. For more information on other publications by the NGA Center for Best Practices, visit the Center’s website at www.nga.org/center. ©NGA CENTER FOR BEST PRACTICES, 444 NORTH CAPITOL STREET, SUITE 267, WASHINGTON, D.C.
    [Show full text]
  • The Cabinet and Independent Agencies
    [ABCDE] VOLUME 12, ISSUE 6 The Cabinet and Independent Agencies ■ Background: Federal Agencies ■ Resource: The President’s Cabinet ■ An Introduction: May I Introduce Independent Agencies? ■ Resource: What About the Money? ■ Focus: The Federal Reserve ■ Student Activity: Get Acquainted with Independent Agencies and Their Leaders ■ Think Like a Reporter: Know Who Does What February 12, 2013 © 2013 THE WASHINGTON POST COMPANY VOLUME 12, ISSUE 6 An Integrated Curriculum For The Washington Post Newspaper In Education Program he Founders and writers of the U.S. Constitution created a government where power is shared by three co-equal branches of government: the Legislative (Congress), Executive (President), and Judicial (the Supreme Court and lower federal courts).T For most of American history, things got done like this: Congress passed a law, the President enforced the law, and the federal courts interpreted the law. Today, this still happens. But, today, most of the decisions that affect WHITEHOUSE.GOV Americans’ day-to-day lives are made by entities known as federal agencies. The reason for their existence is simple. Congress’s job is to draft and pass legislation. Much of the legislation that they pass is broad in scope and affects millions of people. Because our country has become so populous and increasingly diverse, it would be impossible for Congress to be experts on every piece of legislation it passed. Likewise, the President, who is tasked with enforcing the laws that Congress passes, cannot by himself do everything that is necessary to make sure that all parts of a law are being followed correctly. Finally, the Supreme Court and federal courts are far too busy hearing and deciding cases to worry about such matters as how many judges are needed, how much the budget will be for the upcoming year, and how to supervise the thousands of federal court employees.
    [Show full text]
  • Parliamentary System
    Parliamentary System The Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary form of government, both at the Centre and in the states. Articles 74 and 75 deal with the parliamentary system at the Centre and Articles 163 and 164 in the states. Modern democratic governments are classified into parliamentary and presidential on the basis of nature of relations between the executive and the legislative organs of the government. The parliamentary system of government is the one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts. The presidential system of government, on the other hand, is one in which the executive is not responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts, and is constitutionally independent of the legislature in respect of its term of office. The parliamentary government is also known as cabinet government or responsible government or Westminster model of government and is prevalent in Britain, Japan, Canada, India among others. The presidential government, on the other hand, is also known as non-responsible or non parliamentary or fixed executive system of government and is prevalent in USA, Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka among others. Ivor Jennings called the parliamentary system as ‘cabinet system’ because the cabinet is the nucleus of power in a parliamentary system. The parliamentary government is also known as ‘responsible government’ as the cabinet (the real executive) is accountable to the Parliament and stays in office so long as it enjoys the latter’s confidence. It is described as ‘Westminster model of government’ after the location of the British Parliament, where the parliamentary system originated.
    [Show full text]
  • For Executive Order No. 224 July 29, 2021 This FAQ Provides Guidance for the Implementati
    Frequently Asked Questions (“FAQ”) for Executive Order No. 224 July 29, 2021 This FAQ provides guidance for the implementation of Executive Order No. 224 (“Order”). North Carolina has made great strides since the start of the pandemic to save lives. Nevertheless, the state is presently experiencing an increase in COVID-19 spread, principally among those who are unvaccinated. The state’s key COVID-19 metrics suggest some measures must remain active to address and mitigate the spread of COVID-19. As COVID-19 has continued to spread from person to person across the United States, variants (genetically distinct strains) of COVID-19 have developed. The Delta variant of COVID-19 is significantly more transmissible and more likely to lead to severe disease and hospitalization. Vaccination against COVID-19 is the most effective tool to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, effective September 1, 2021, workers at agencies that are part of the Governor’s Office or are headed by members of the Governor’s Cabinet (collectively, “Cabinet Agency Workers”) who are not fully vaccinated must submit to regular testing for COVID-19. In addition, effective August 2, 2021, face coverings will be required for all Cabinet Agency Workers who are not fully vaccinated. Other agencies of state government, local governments, private businesses, and organizations are strongly encouraged to undertake mitigation measures similar to those imposed in Executive Order 224. These entities should follow guidance issued by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (“NCDHHS”). These measures include requiring workers who are not fully vaccinated to submit to regular COVID-19 testing and requiring face coverings for workers and guests in indoor spaces where other people are present.
    [Show full text]
  • Cabinet and Presidency - Kozo Kato
    GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS – Vol. I - Cabinet and Presidency - Kozo Kato CABINET AND PRESIDENCY Kozo Kato Sophia University, Japan Keywords: Cabinet, Coalition government, Judicial review, Leadership, Parliament, Political executives, Presidency, Vote of non-confidence. Contents 1. Introduction 2. Conventional Typology of Political Executives 2.1 Cabinet 2.2 Presidency 3. Varieties of Cabinet and Presidency 4. Transitional Democracies 5. Governmental System, Leadership, and Performance Glossary Bibliography Biographical Sketch Summary Cabinet and presidency represent the two most important and prevalent types of political executive. The structures and functions of political executives have varied widely over time and place, and no single conceptual framework can contain all these variations and their consequences. Although this section is titled “Cabinet and Presidency,” it is often difficult to categorize existing political executives as belonging to one or the other of the two types. Therefore, when we discuss ideal types of cabinet and presidential government, conceptual confusion should be carefully avoided between the form of government (the power structure of separation and sharing) and the performance of the government (the efficacy of strong and weak leadership). 1. Introduction Cabinet and presidency represent the two most important and prevalent types of political UNESCOexecutive. Most children are politically – EOLSS socialized through their perceptions of top political executives, and those positions have been the locus of post-war world politics, as demonstratedSAMPLE in strong leadership CHAPTERS of such men and women as Adenauer, Churchill, Deng Xiaoping, Gandhi, de Gaulle, Gorbachev, Reagan, and Roosevelt. However, political scientists have often neglected the structures and functions of such governmental institutions and concentrated on societal phenomena such as pressure groups, party politics, public opinion, and elections.
    [Show full text]
  • Revision of the Cabinet Manual
    HOUSE OF LORDS Select Committee on the Constitution 6th Report of Session 2021–22 Revision of the Cabinet Manual Ordered to be printed 30 June 2021 and published 8 July 2021 Published by the Authority of the House of Lords HL Paper 34 Select Committee on the Constitution The Constitution Committee is appointed by the House of Lords in each session “to examine the constitutional implications of public bills coming before the House; and to keep under review the operation of the constitution and constitutional aspects of devolution.” Membership The Members of the Constitution Committee are: Baroness Corston Baroness Fookes Lord Sherbourne of Didsbury Baroness Doocey Lord Hennessy of Nympsfield Baroness Suttie Baroness Drake Lord Hope of Craighead Baroness Taylor of Bolton (Chair) Lord Dunlop Lord Howarth of Newport Lord Faulks Lord Howell of Guildford Declarations of interests A full list of Members’ interests can be found in the Register of Lords’ Interests: https://members.parliament.uk/members/lords/interests/register-of-lords-interests/ Publications All publications of the committee are available at: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/172/constitution-committee/ Parliament Live Live coverage of debates and public sessions of the committee’s meetings are available at: http://www.parliamentlive.tv Further information Further information about the House of Lords and its committees, including guidance to witnesses, details of current inquiries and forthcoming meetings is available at: http://www.parliament.uk/business/lords Committee staff The current staff of the committee are Michael Torrance (Clerk), Rachel Borrell (Policy Analyst) and Rita Cohen (Committee Operations Officer). Professor Stephen Tierney and Professor Jeff King are the legal advisers to the Committee.
    [Show full text]
  • Ministerial Departments CABINET OFFICE March 2021
    LIST OF MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Including Executive Agencies and Non- Ministerial Departments CABINET OFFICE March 2021 LIST OF MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDING EXECUTIVE AGENCIES AND NON-MINISTERIAL DEPARTMENTS CONTENTS Page Part I List of Cabinet Ministers 2-3 Part II Alphabetical List of Ministers 4-7 Part III Ministerial Departments and Responsibilities 8-70 Part IV Executive Agencies 71-82 Part V Non-Ministerial Departments 83-90 Part VI Government Whips in the House of Commons and House of Lords 91 Part VII Government Spokespersons in the House of Lords 92-93 Part VIII Index 94-96 Information contained in this document can also be found on Ministers’ pages on GOV.UK and: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-ministers-and-responsibilities 1 I - LIST OF CABINET MINISTERS The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP Prime Minister; First Lord of the Treasury; Minister for the Civil Service and Minister for the Union The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP Chancellor of the Exchequer The Rt Hon Dominic Raab MP Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs; First Secretary of State The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP Secretary of State for the Home Department The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP Minister for the Cabinet Office; Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster The Rt Hon Robert Buckland QC MP Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice The Rt Hon Ben Wallace MP Secretary of State for Defence The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP Secretary of State for Health and Social Care The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP COP26 President Designate The Rt Hon
    [Show full text]