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Queensland Factsheet The Principles of

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 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 ; Chief , and 18 other Ministers. The persons comprising the Ministry and • the collective responsibility of Ministers for Cabinet are also members of 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 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 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 in the operation of Cabinet: collective of Government policy and carry out the tasks 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 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