“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)
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. The Liberal Party has always given its prime minister the power to choose the ministry. The ALP traditionally allowed the Caucus to elect the ministry, whilst the Prime Minister allocated portfolios. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (2007-10 & 2013) was allowed to abandon this process and choose his own ministry, a practice also followed by Julia Gillard (2010-13).
Ministers 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
- Key Term: Executive Government
- What is the Executive Government?
- Constitutional and Executive Government Conventions
- The Executive Council
Cabinet & the Ministry In Operation
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.
- Cabinet Secrecy – Why? – an explanation of the necessity for secrecy in the operation of the Cabinet.
- 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.
- Cabinet and Ministry Numbers Since 1949 – a breakdown of Cabinet and outer ministry numbers in each government since Menzies in 1949
Cabinet Committees
- Dec 13, 2001: Howard Government Cabinet Committees
- Dec 13, 1984: Hawke Government Cabinet Committees
Ministerial Guidelines
Theses guidelines cover the principles of collective ministerial responsibility and individual ministerial responsibility. The first deals with the obligations and duties of ministers collectively in supporting government decisions. The second deals with personal behaviour of ministers in relation to administration of their portfolio, as well as their financial interests and conflicts.
Ministerial Responsibility
- August 30, 2018: Scott Morrison: Statement of Ministerial Standards
- January 9, 2017: Sussan Ley Stands Aside From Ministry; Investigation Into Gold Coast Travel Expenses
- November 20, 2015: Malcolm Turnbull: Statement Of Ministerial Standards
- December 11, 2013: Tony Abbott: Statement Of Ministerial Standards
- February 20, 2002: Ex-Ministers: Jobs After Government
- December 15, 1998: Ministerial Guidelines 1998 – Howard Government
- April 13, 1996: John Howard’s 1996 Ministerial Code Of Conduct
Cabinet Handbooks
- Mar 30, 2015: Federal Cabinet Handbook (8th edition)
- Mar 15, 2012: Federal Cabinet Handbook (7th edition)
- Oct 15, 2011: The Cabinet Manual (UK)
- Apr 15, 2002: ACT Cabinet Handbook
- Apr 06, 2001: The Budget Lockup – every year when the Government presents the annual Budget to Parliament, the media is able to attend a “lock-up” several hours before the Budget is made available. This statement from the Treasurer’s office explains the rules governing the lock-up.
- May 15, 2000: Legislation Handbook – official handbook that guides ministers on the procedures for developing legislation for Cabinet and Parliamentary approval.
Caretaker Conventions
Caretaker Conventions apply during election periods when the Parliament has been dissolved. DETAILED INFORMATION HERE.
Caretaker Conventions
- May 7, 2016: Caretaker Conventions During The Federal Election
- September 15, 2001: Federal Government Caretaker Conventions – 2001
- July 15, 2001: Caretaker Government Arrangements – ACT 2001
- August 30, 1998: Federal Government Caretaker Conventions – 1998
Ministerial Lists
- Barton-Deakin Ministries – 1901-04
- Watson Ministry – 1904 – Australia’s first federal Labor government
Federal Ministries
- May 26, 2019: Scott Morrison Announces Third Term Coalition Ministry
- August 26, 2018: The First Morrison Ministry – Statistical Analysis
- December 19, 2017: The Second Turnbull Ministry Reshuffled – Statistical Analysis
- January 18, 2017: Turnbull Ministry: Revised Statistical Analysis
- January 18, 2017: Greg Hunt New Health Minister; Ken Wyatt First Indigenous Minister; Turnbull Minimises Changes Following Ley’s Resignation
- July 19, 2016: Cabinet And Ministry Numbers Since 1949
- July 19, 2016: Administrative Arrangements For The Second Turnbull Government
- July 18, 2016: The Second Turnbull Ministry – Statistical Analysis
- July 18, 2016: Turnbull Announces New Ministry
- April 11, 2016: The Ages Of The Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry
- April 10, 2016: The Ages Of The Turnbull Government Ministers
- February 18, 2016: Administrative Arrangements Order – Amendments
- February 18, 2016: Turnbull’s New Ministers Sworn In; Joyce Now Deputy PM
- February 13, 2016: Turnbull Reshuffles Ministry
- February 13, 2016: Mal Brough Resigns From Turnbull Ministry
- January 26, 2016: On This Day In 1966: Menzies Retires, Holt Government Takes Office
- December 29, 2015: First Turnbull Ministry – Revised
- September 20, 2015: First Turnbull Ministry Announced; More Women Into Cabinet, Abbott Supporters Axed
- March 20, 2014: The Abbott Ministry – Revised List Following Sinodinos Departure
- September 18, 2013: Abbott Government: Administrative Arrangements Order
- September 18, 2013: Tony Abbott Sworn In As Australia’s 28th Prime Minister
- September 16, 2013: The First Abbott Ministry: Statistical Analysis
- September 16, 2013: The First Abbott Ministry Announced
- July 6, 2013: The Rudd Ministry: Age, Sex, State And Factional Breakdown
- July 1, 2013: The Second Rudd Ministry
- March 25, 2013: Gillard Reshuffles Ministry; Supporters Promoted; Four New Ministers
- February 4, 2013: The Second Gillard Ministry – Revised 2013
- September 12, 2011: Second Gillard Ministry – Revised 2011
- September 11, 2010: The Second Gillard Ministry
- December 3, 2007: The First Rudd Ministry
- November 29, 2007: Rudd Announces New Labor Government Ministry
- March 6, 2007: Howard Reshuffle: Ellison Promoted, New Minister From WA
- October 26, 2004: Fourth Howard Ministry Sworn In
- October 7, 2003: The Third Howard Ministry – Revised 2003
- April 1, 2001: A Statistical Analysis Of The Howard Ministry – 2001
- February 14, 2001: The Reshuffled Howard Ministry – February 2001
- December 19, 2000: Howard Government Ministerial Reshuffle
- October 20, 1997: The First Howard Ministry – October 1997
- March 11, 1996: The First Howard Ministry 1996
- March 24, 1993: Second Keating Ministry – 1993
- December 19, 1972: The Second Whitlam Ministry – December 19, 1972
- December 5, 1972: The First Whitlam Ministry: December 5-19, 1972
Federal Shadow Ministries
Archived Posts
- September 13, 2016: Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry – Statistical Analysis (Revised)
- September 13, 2016: Shorten Announces Minor Changes To Shadow Ministry; O’Neill Promoted
- September 7, 2016: Dastyari Resigns From ALP Frontbench
- July 23, 2016: ALP Shadow Ministry 2016 – Statistical Analysis
- July 23, 2016: Shorten Announces ALP Shadow Ministry Portfolio Allocations
- July 22, 2016: ALP Caucus Elects Expanded Shadow Ministry Of 32; Carr Survives
- May 4, 2016: Minor Changes To Opposition Shadow Ministry; Dodson Promoted To Executive In First Week As A Senator
- April 11, 2016: The Ages Of The Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry
- March 4, 2014: Minor Changes To ALP Shadow Ministry; Parke Gone, Jones And MacTiernan Promoted
- October 18, 2013: Bill Shorten’s ALP Shadow Ministry – Full List
- October 14, 2013: Plibersek New ALP Deputy Leader; Wong And Conroy Take Senate Positions; Shadow Ministry Elected
- September 19, 2012: Tony Abbott’s Revised Coalition Shadow Ministry
- September 22, 2008: Malcolm Turnbull’s Shadow Ministry
- December 6, 2007: Nelson Announces Shadow Ministry
- December 6, 2007: Coalition Shadow Ministry From December 6, 2007
- October 26, 2004: Mark Latham Announces His New Shadow Ministry
- December 8, 2003: Latham Announces New Shadow Ministry
- December 8, 2003: Mark Latham’s Shadow Ministry
- July 2, 2003: Crean Reshuffles Shadow Ministry After Defeating Beazley Challenge
- August 23, 2002: Latham Promoted In Crean’s Shadow Ministry
- August 23, 2002: Simon Crean’s New ALP Shadow Ministry
- February 27, 2001: Beazley ALP Shadow Ministry 2001
- March 19, 1996: Kim Beazley’s ALP Shadow Ministry 1996
Archived Posts
- December 19, 2017: The Second Turnbull Ministry Reshuffled – Statistical Analysis
- January 18, 2017: Turnbull Ministry: Revised Statistical Analysis
- January 13, 2017: Sussan Ley Resigns From Ministry; Turnbull Announces Reforms To Politicians’ Entitlements
- January 9, 2017: Sussan Ley Stands Aside From Ministry; Investigation Into Gold Coast Travel Expenses
- September 2, 2016: How The Turnbull Government Lost Control Of The House
- July 19, 2016: Administrative Arrangements For The Second Turnbull Government
- April 10, 2016: The Ages Of The Turnbull Government Ministers
- March 26, 2016: Senator Arthur Sinodinos Denies Wrongdoing Or Illegality
- February 18, 2016: Turnbull’s New Ministers Sworn In; Joyce Now Deputy PM
- November 20, 2015: Malcolm Turnbull: Statement Of Ministerial Standards
- March 30, 2015: Cabinet Handbook – 2015
- March 19, 2014: Assistant Treasurer Senator Arthur Sinodinos Stands Aside Over ICAC Investigations
- December 11, 2013: Tony Abbott: Statement Of Ministerial Standards
- November 8, 2013: Abbott Abolishes Twenty Advisory Bodies
- September 20, 2013: Abbott Government Advertises Jobs For Ministerial Staff
- March 6, 2013: BAILLIEU RESIGNS – DENIS NAPTHINE NEW VICTORIAN PREMIER
- March 15, 2012: Cabinet Handbook 7th Edition 2012
- February 22, 2012: Rudd Resigns From Gillard Ministry; Late Night Move In Washington
- October 15, 2011: UK Cabinet Manual – 2011
- September 7, 2010: Agreement To Form Government: The Windsor-Oakeshott-Gillard Deal
- June 4, 2009: Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon Resigns From Rudd Ministry
- November 12, 2007: Whitlam-Fraser Call For Strengthening Of Ministerial Accountability
- September 3, 2002: Cabinet Secrecy – Why?
- April 15, 2002: ACT Cabinet Handbook 2002
- February 25, 2002: Stem Cell Research: A Case Study Of How Cabinet Works
- February 20, 2002: Ex-Ministers: Jobs After Government
- December 13, 2001: Howard Government 2001 Cabinet Committees
- November 26, 2001: Howard Sworn In For Third Term As Prime Minister
- April 6, 2001: The Budget Lockup
- December 1, 2000: Satire: Welcome To ReithCard
- August 1, 2000: Making The Bastards Honest: Democrats’ Accountability Package
- May 15, 2000: Legislation Handbook – 2000
- December 15, 1998: Ministerial Guidelines 1998 – Howard Government
- July 16, 1996: What Is the Executive Government?
- April 13, 1996: John Howard’s 1996 Ministerial Code Of Conduct
- March 17, 1996: Howard Government 1996 Cabinet Committees
- December 13, 1984: Cabinet Committees: Hawke Government 1984
