Cabinet Handbook - The Department of the Prime Minister and ...

43. Ministers should give serious consideration as to whether a matter could be dealt with by
correspondence, for example where all interested ministers are in agreement (see Annex B – Managing
the Cabinet business).
44. Where there is uncertainty about the level and type of consideration needed, ministers should
seek advice from the Cabinet Secretary. Similarly, government departments should seek advice from the
office of the portfolio minister, or from the Cabinet Secretariat.
Issues for the Cabinet
45. There are no hard and fast rules about the issues that should be considered by the Cabinet and it
is ultimately for the Prime Minister to decide the agenda, on the advice of the Cabinet Secretary.
Generally, however, matters brought before the Cabinet should require a decision and not be simply for
noting.
46. The following is an indication of the kind of issues that would normally require consideration by
the Cabinet (including by reference to the relevant Cabinet committee):
(a) proposals relating to the delivery of the Government’s formally agreed strategic priorities;
(b) controversial proposals, which are likely to lead to significant public comment;
(c) proposals affecting the Government’s financial position, or important financial commitments;
(d) issues that impact on every member of the Cabinet, or on the portfolio interests of a number of
ministers (particularly where agreement cannot be reached);
(e) the most significant domestic policy issues;
(f) significant matters affecting state and territory relations;
(g) the most significant international business, including international treaties and agreements;
(h) national emergencies, including any decision to take military action;
(i) proposals that affect Australia’s constitutional arrangements;
(j) proposed responses to recommendations made in parliamentary committee reports;
(k) proposals involving significant new legislation or regulations [note: all legislative proposals
require clearance from the Cabinet committee responsible for considering legislation – the
Parliamentary Business Committee of Cabinet (PBC), in addition to clearance through the
relevant Cabinet committee (see Annex H for further information on the PBC); and
(l) significant Government appointments.
47. Consideration of significant policy issues may be taken by the Cabinet at an early stage to inform
the development of detailed policy by the relevant portfolio minister(s), or as a final step prior to
announcement.
48. An issue brought to the Cabinet for a final decision will generally have been discussed previously
by the relevant Cabinet committee.
The Budget process
49. The annual Budget process begins in November or December when the Expenditure Review
Committee of Cabinet (ERC) considers portfolio ministers' new proposals and expected major pressures,
and establishes the Budget’s priorities. From February to April the ERC develops the Budget against the
background of the Government’s political, social and economic priorities.
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