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Cabinet & Ministry

The Executive Government consists of the Cabinet and the Ministry led by the Prime Minister. The Ministry is derived from the party or parties that command a majority in the House of Representatives. Constitutionally, the Governor-General heads the Executive Government, but in practice the Governor-General acts on the advice of the Prime Minister.

The Ministry consists of all those Members of Parliament chosen by the Prime Minister (Liberal Party) or the Party Caucus (ALP). They serve as members of the executive arm of government and administer the various government departments. The most senior Ministers, including the Prime Minister form the Cabinet, which is often referred to as the engine-room of government.

The principles of cabinet government are not well understood in the wider community. There is often confusion between the ministry and the cabinet, as well as uncertainty about how the Executive Government operates.

Key Terms

The Executive & The Crown

  • The Executive Council – this is one of the least understood aspects of the Australian political system, yet it is also central to the process of decision-making.

Cabinet & the Ministry In Operation

“There are only two ways of getting into the Cabinet. One is to crawl up the staircase of preferment on your belly; the other way is to kick them in the teeth. But for God’s sake don’t mix the two methods.” – Aneurin Bevan (British Labour politician)

Ministerial Behaviour

The responsibility of ministers to the Parliament and the people is an important ingredient of the Westminster parliamentary system. The principles of Collective and Individual Ministerial Responsibility govern this chain of accountability. The application of these principles varies considerably depending on the Prime Minister, the political position of the minister in question and public reaction.

  • Ministerial Resignations Since 1901 – a complete list of the ministers who have resigned or been sacked because of breaches of the individual or collective responsibility principles, or because of personal impropriety.
  • Ministerial Guidelines 1998 – the official guide issued to ministers explaining their role and responsibilities.
  • John Howard’s Code of Ministerial Conduct – Hailed by Howard as a bold move to raise the standard of ministerial behaviour, the Code of Conduct has undergone a number of revisions since 1996.
  • Whitlam And Fraser Call For Strengthening Of Ministerial Accountability – in November 2007, the former Labor and Liberal prime ministers called for the modernisation and strengthening of ministerial accountability in Australia.
  • The Controversy Over Jobs Taken By Ex-Ministers – concern over the propriety of jobs gained by formers ministers after they leave politics has led to calls for reform of the rules governing ministerial behaviour.
  • Reith Telecard Affair Satire – Peter Reith, then the Minister for Workplace Relations, was embroiled in a controversy in 2000 over the use of a parliamentary Telecard. Reith repaid $50,000 for telephone calls made with the card. Later, he was moved to the Defence portfolio. He retired from Parliament at the 2001 election.

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