3.1 Cabinet Committees
Cabinet Committees underpin the operation of normal Cabinet by providing a
suitable forum, with Cabinet stature, to deliberate on more complex issues
requiring dedicated and longer term attention by stakeholder Ministers. The
Premier or Cabinet may establish Cabinet Committees as well as determine
Committee membership and terms of reference.
Committees are provided with an official title and may make recommendations
to the full Cabinet. Two types of Cabinet Committees may be established:
- Standing Committees which deal with long-term and cross-portfolio issues
requiring detailed consideration and coordination prior to Cabinet approval of
particular proposals. Standing Committees may be supported by officials from
relevant agencies as necessary, dependent on the issue being considered; and
- Special Purpose Committees which are functional Committees established from
time to time to consider matters of particular concern to the Premier or the
Cabinet according to defined terms of reference. Special Purpose Committees have
a flexible structure and may be supported by advisors drawn from the private or
public sector or the legislature. Such Committees assist Cabinet by considering
matters of detail while also allowing the co-opting of a range of skills to the
Cabinet decision-making process.
The Cabinet Secretariat provides secretarial and support services to Cabinet
Committees similar to a full meeting of Cabinet and accordingly enquiries
concerning Committee meetings should be directed to the Secretariat.
As with normal Cabinet, the CLLOs play a pivotal role in coordinating Cabinet
Committee information within their respective agencies. Refer to Chapter 2.5 for further information on the role of the CLLOs.
The preparation of submissions for Cabinet Committees is essentially the same as for Cabinet submissions with only minor variation. Refer to Chapter 5 "Preparation of submissions".
3.1.1 Membership
Committee membership is only open to members of Cabinet. Other stakeholder
Ministers who are not designated Committee members may attend (on the approval
of the Premier) to assist in Committee deliberations, however decision-making
remains the prerogative of the Committee members only. The Premier or Cabinet
also may appoint officials to assist Committees.
Cabinet Budget Review Committee
The Cabinet Budget Review Committee (CBRC) has a primary role of considering
matters with financial or budgetary implications for the government.
It has a membership of four Ministers, with the Premier and Treasurer as
standing members along with two rotational senior Ministers occupying the
positions for generally one year. At the conclusion of the term for the
rotational members, the Premier will seek expressions of interest from other
Ministers and decide on the new members.
Excepting the Premier as Chair of CBRC, the Committee may still deliberate in
the absence of member Ministers. Another Minister or an official may not
deputise for a member Minister in their absence.
Infrastructure Cabinet Committee
The Infrastructure Cabinet Committee (ICC) provides a strategic focus on
planning for the State's infrastructure needs into the future, including
consideration of all new significant infrastructure projects against strategic
priorities, prior to Cabinet or CBRC consideration, and reporting on significant
infrastructure projects.
Its membership includes the Premier, Deputy Premier and Ministers responsible
for Infrastructure, Health, Transport, Main Roads, and Public Works. ICC is
supported by a Chief Executive Officers' Group.
3.1.2 Cabinet Budget Review Committee meeting scheduling, business list and briefing information
As Chair of CBRC, the Premier will schedule meetings and decide on the
business to be considered. As opposed to Cabinet, CBRC meetings are not
scheduled on a regular basis, but according to the nature and priority of issues
on hand. By virtue of the flying minute process as described in Chapter 3.1.4, an in-session meeting may not be deemed
necessary by the Premier for an issue.
The Premier will determine whether proposed business will be handled via
flying minute or in-session meeting, in conjunction with determining the
business list for Cabinet for the following week. In making this determination
the Premier is assisted by briefing information provided from the Department of
the Premier and Cabinet and the Treasury Department on all submissions, and by
the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Division of Public Sector
Industrial and Employee Relations on industrial relations issues.
Briefing information is sought on all submissions at both first lodgement and
at final lodgement stages similar to Cabinet submissions. However, the CBRC
process differs from Cabinet in that briefing information on final submissions
is sought prior to the Premier's determination on how submissions will be
handled, and their priority relative to other CBRC business. Briefing
information is integral to this process.
For the purpose of contributing to open and informed deliberations on
submissions at in-session meetings or via flying minutes, briefing information
is circulated to CBRC members. Other Ministers are not provided with this
information unless directed by the Premier.
3.1.3 Circulation of submissions to Committee members
The Cabinet Secretariat distributes Committee submissions in the same way as
Cabinet submissions, commensurate with the security classification pertaining to
each document. Refer to Chapter 5.2 "Security classifications on Cabinet submissions".
3.1.4 Use of flying minutes
At the discretion of the Premier, submissions may be circulated as flying
minutes to member Ministers to consider individually, rather than at an
in-session CBRC meeting. Generally, flying minutes will be circulated on less
contentious issues and where policy advice indicates unqualified support.
The flying minute process is an important tool used by CBRC to make optimal
use of member Ministers' time. The process enables focussed and dedicated
deliberation of more complex and difficult issues than at in-session
meetings.
If member Ministers do not unanimously approve the recommendations contained
in a submission circulated as a flying minute, then the Premier may decide to
schedule the matter for resolution at an in-session meeting.
3.1.5 Minutes and decisions of meetings
Minutes of Cabinet Committee meetings are recorded by an officer of the
Cabinet Secretariat and distributed to members of the Committee only.
Decisions will also be prepared by the Cabinet Secretariat and circulated to
Ministerial and Chief Executive Officer stakeholders, as appropriate, in the
same way as Cabinet decisions. Refer to Chapter 4.12 "Cabinet decisions".
3.1.6 Handling, filing and storage of Cabinet Committee documents
Cabinet Committee information has the same status as Cabinet information and
similar security measures must be provided to preserve confidentiality. Refer to
Chapter 4.14 "Security and management of Cabinet information". Similarly, access to Committee
information must also accord with access conventions described in the Handbook.
Refer to Chapter 4.15 "Access to Cabinet documents".
3.1.7 Attendance of officials at Committee meetings
Upon agreement with the Chairperson, officials may attend Cabinet Committee
meetings to assist their Minister and to provide advice to the meeting where
required. They are expected to explain factual or technical material on request,
but not to participate in discussions unless invited by the Chairperson. If
their Minister leaves the Committee meeting, the official will normally withdraw
unless asked by the Minister or Chairperson to remain.
Officials present at Cabinet Committee meetings are privy to discussions on
the basis of absolute confidentiality. There must be no disclosure of the nature
or content of the discussions. Only members of Cabinet Committees are entitled
to deliberate on issues.
For the purpose of this section, "officials" includes public sector
employees, ministerial staff and statutory body employees. Other persons may
attend at the discretion of the Chairperson of the Committee.
Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009
Last updated: 22 July, 2009
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