10.4 Ministerial Council Meetings and Engagement
Ministerial Councils are established to provide a forum for portfolio Ministers from the Federal and all state and territory governments to meet and decide matters of common interest and/or requiring a national approach, undertake national regulatory responsibilities established under national or state/territory legislation, and to pursue a future focused approach to public policy.
Outside of Ministerial Councils, Ministers are encouraged to continue to collaborate informally on national policy priorities to ensure the best interests of Queensland are pursued. In these instances, the protocols outlined in this section continue to apply.
The Premier will nominate a lead Minister to represent Queensland for each Ministerial Council.
Where the Ministerial Council will consider issues that impact on another portfolio, the lead Minister will be responsible for ensuring effected Ministers are appropriately consulted.
10.4.1 Proactive engagement
Ministerial Councils are a key opportunity for promoting Queensland policy positions, supporting cross-jurisdictional information sharing and building relationships to support Queensland’s strategic agenda. Ministers should adopt a proactive position to advance Queensland’s strategic policy objectives with the Federal Government and other states and territories. This includes:
- strengthening Queensland’s position by proactively shaping terms of reference, annual work plans and agendas to ensure Queensland’s priorities are pursued
- working with jurisdictions to find common ground in agenda items that deliver a net benefit to Queenslanders, and
- early engagement with other Queensland Ministers to ensure consistency in messaging.
10.4.2 Decision-making authority
It is the responsibility of Ministers and their agencies to ensure they are prepared to represent the Queensland Government at Ministerial Councils.
Queensland Cabinet authorisation should be sought for any decisions that would have a significant fiscal or regulatory impact on the state, may constrain the government’s ability to develop or amend policy, or would have a considerable impact on relations with Commonwealth, local and other state and territory governments.
Where it is not possible to seek Cabinet approval, the relevant Minister should seek approval from the Premier (preferably in writing) for the proposed position. The Intergovernmental Relations team, DPC, can provide advice to agencies on matters where it is unclear if Cabinet or Premier approval is required.
Where new issues or alternate proposals arise at meetings which the Minister believes require further Cabinet or CBRC consideration or consultation with the Premier, it is the responsibility of that Minister to make this position clear to the Ministerial Council.
Where out-of-session voting is sought as part of the operation of a Ministerial Council, the Minister should ensure the Premier is kept regularly updated in writing of any position that is not consistent with existing Queensland policy positions or would have a fiscal or regulatory impact on the state.
The Minister should ensure the Premier is kept regularly updated in writing on the progress of the Ministerial Council’s work including any decisions made by this body. The Premier will advise if an update needs to be provided to Cabinet.
10.4.3 Information security
It is the responsibility of Ministers and agencies to maintain confidentiality of Ministerial Council information. Information should be circulated strictly on a need-to-know basis.
10.4.4 Decisions and implementation
The lead Minister is responsible for implementation and tracking of any Ministerial Council decisions.
The lead Minister may delegate, in writing, the implementation of a decision to another Minister where appropriate, with a copy to the Premier.
10.4.5 Ministerial Council sub-committees and officials working groups
Ministerial Councils are encouraged to establish a streamlined and agile supporting architecture including sub-committees and senior officials working groups. Where appropriate, the principles outlined in this section continue to apply for Queensland participation on sub-committees and working groups.
10.4.6 Other ministerial intergovernmental engagement
Outside the formal Ministerial Council structure, Ministers may continue to collaborate to exercise regulatory powers or negotiate complementary legislation.
Ministers are also encouraged to continue to work proactively and cooperatively with their interjurisdictional colleagues to pursue policy outcomes for Queensland. When undertaking these activities, the principles outlined at the introduction to this chapter should be considered.
10.4.7 Establishing new interjurisdictional ministerial forums
Given National Cabinet’s shared objective to limit the number of Ministerial Councils, and to limit Ministerial Councils to decision making on key priorities, Ministers should not establish any interjurisdictional ministerial forums without first receiving written support from the Premier.