Queensland Executive Council Handbook

The Queensland Executive Council Handbook is part of the Governing Queensland suite of handbooks.

It details the processes and practices associated with the effective functioning of the Queensland Executive Council, the Legislative Assembly, Cabinet, government departments and agencies.

The handbook is a guide for Ministers and departmental officers who prepare Executive Council minutes and other documents for submission to the Governor in Council. It also outlines the role of the Governor and Executive Council in the proper governance of Queensland.

Summary

Outlined are precise requirements for the preparation of Executive Council minutes and supporting documents. Handbook features include summaries and margin notes which act as checklists for frequent users. An alphabetical index is included for ease of reference.

Due to a review of the handbook, a PDF version is currently not available. If you require a PDF version please contact the Department on +61 7 3225 8254.

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Table of contents

• Foreword
• Introduction
• The Governor
  • 1.1 Powers and functions of the Sovereign
  • 1.2 Office of Governor
  • 1.3 Powers and functions of the Governor
• Powers, role and composition of the Executive Council
  • 2.1 Legislative basis
  • 2.2 Role of the Executive Council
  • 2.3 Advice from Ministers
  • 2.4 Membership
• Meetings of the Executive Council
  • 3.1 Time and place
  • 3.2 Quorum
  • 3.3 Absence of Governor
  • 3.4 Special meetings
  • 3.5 Special meeting following cancellation of Cabinet meeting
  • 3.6 Meeting procedure
• Executive Council support services
  • 4.1 Location and role of Executive Council Secretariat
  • 4.2 Clerk of the Executive Council
  • 4.3 Public Seal of the State
  • 4.4 Executive Council documentation
  • 4.5 Index of Executive Council Minutes
  • 4.6 Executive Council database
  • 4.7 Cabinet Legislation and Liaison Officers
• Matters for Executive Council
  • 5.1 Matters for consideration by Cabinet prior to submission to Governor in Council
  • 5.2 Matters for consideration by Governor in Council
  • 5.2.1 Commissions and Letters Patent
  • 5.2.2 Other Appointments
  • 5.2.3 Expenditure
  • 5.2.4 Revised Expenditure
  • 5.2.5 Grants
  • 5.2.6 Proclamations
  • 5.2.7 Subordinate legislation
  • 5.2.8 Statutory Instruments
  • 5.2.9 Approval of matters retrospectively
• Executive Council procedures
  • 6.1 Notification of meetings
  • 6.2 Lodgement of Executive Council documents
  • 6.3 Approval process
  • 6.4 Late Minutes
  • 6.5 Withdrawal of whole Minute listed on the schedule
  • 6.6 Partial withdrawal of a Minute listed on the schedule
  • 6.7 Withdrawal of whole Minute after Cabinet has met
  • 6.8 Partial withdrawal of a Minute after Cabinet has met
  • 6.9 Revoking a Minute
  • 6.10 Rescinding a Minute
  • 6.11 Amending or correcting a Minute
  • 6.12 Jointly sponsored Minutes
  • 6.13 Return of Minutes following approval
  • 6.14 Executive Council procedures for an Acting Minister
  • 6.15 Release of information by Executive Council Secretariat
  • 6.16 Confidentiality of proceedings
  • 6.17 Freedom of Information requests
  • 6.18 Announcement of Executive Council decisions
• Action following meeting of Executive Council
  • 7.1 Notification and publication in the Queensland Government Gazette
  • 7.2 Certified copies of Executive Council Minutes
• Executive Council documents
  • 8.1 Governor in Council matters to be authorised by Legislation
  • 8.2 Executive Council Minutes
  • 8.3 Format of Minutes
  • 8.3.1 Minute covers
  • 8.3.2 Details included on each Minute cover
  • 8.4 Use of schedules
  • 8.5 Aggregation of Minutes and grouping of similar matters
  • 8.6 Explanatory Memorandum
  • 8.7 Use of permanent paper
• Caretaker conventions
  • 9.1 Caretaker period
  • 9.2 Executive Council meetings
• Machinery of Government Changes
  • 10.1 Administrative Arrangements Orders
  • 10.2 Departmental Arrangements Notices
• Appendices

Last reviewed: 17 July, 2009

Last updated: 22 July, 2009

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