2.1 Ministers
Ultimate responsibility for departmental management rests with Ministers who are legally and politically accountable to the Parliament for the administration of their department(s).
Ministers must be aware of their constitutional responsibilities to act in the public interest and not disclose confidential information or government information likely to injure the public interest.
Individual Ministerial authority and responsibility should be balanced against the responsibility of Ministers to bring to Cabinet major issues of policy and any matter requiring collective consideration by the government. Refer to 1.4 Matters for consideration by Cabinet and 4.3.2 Matters to be considered by the Cabinet Budget Review Committee.
Chief Executive Officers
As far as possible, the management of departments is the responsibility of the departmental Chief Executive Officer. Chief Executive Officers are responsible for managing the day to day operations of departments, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of departmental services and providing effective advice to the Minister on matters requiring Ministerial attention.
2.1.1 Attendance at meetings
Attendance at Cabinet meetings takes priority over other commitments, and Ministers should arrange appointments to avoid conflict with scheduled meetings.
Ministers must seek the Premier's approval if they are likely to be unavoidably absent from meetings (or delayed) and obtain leave to be absent.
The Cabinet Secretary should be advised of all approved absences ahead of the meeting in question.
2.1.2 Extended absence
It is the responsibility of a Minister to nominate to the Premier another Minister to act on their behalf during an extended absence. The nomination is processed by Appointment and Constitutional Services, DPC, who prepares an Appointment Instrument for signature by the Premier, and the Governor if required. A copy of the Appointment Instrument is provided to the Cabinet Secretary.