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Ch2 House, Government and Opposition / THE MINISTRY / Composition of the Ministry



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House of Representatives                                Ch 2                                                 p 56

 

House, Government and Opposition / THE MINISTRY

 

Composition of the Ministry

The allocation of portfolios—that is, the Departments of State that Ministers shall administer—has never been determined by the Parliament although there have been unsuccessful attempts in the House to have the Parliament elect the Ministry. 1 In practice the Governor-General determines the allocation of portfolios on the advice of the Prime Minister. In the case of a Liberal-Nationals coalition the Prime Minister, following consultation with the Leader of the Nationals, nominates Ministers and decides the allocation of portfolios for recommendation to the Governor-General. Since the formation of the Fisher Ministry in 1908, the Australian Labor Party caucus has elected its Ministers and the Prime Minister has allocated portfolios for recommendation to the Governor-General.

The approval of the Governor-General to the composition of the Ministry, the creation of departments, the allocation of portfolios and any ministerial and departmental change is notified publicly 2 and announced in the House. 3 The principal areas of departmental responsibility and enactments administered by the respective Ministers are notified publicly by order of the Governor-General. 4 Temporary ministerial arrangements may be made by the Prime Minister without reference to the Governor-General.

Since the formation of the first Commonwealth Government on 1 January 1901 the Ministry has always included a Prime Minister, a Treasurer, an Attorney-General and a Minister for Defence. 5 The titles and functions of other Ministers have varied over the years. A Vice-President of the Executive Council has always been appointed and, since the early 1930s, has usually administered a Department of State in addition to performing Executive Council duties. 6 A Minister may administer more than one department.



VP 1905/47, 89, 146; VP 1909/66; VP 1910/122; VP 1925/42, 73.



E.g. Gazettes S94(11.3.96); S514(22.10.98).



E.g. VP 2004-05/7-8.



Known as the Administrative Arrangements Order; e.g. Gazette S93 (11.3.96).



Except for a re-organisation of the Department of Defence between 1939 and 1942.



In the early Ministries the Vice-President was a member of the Executive Council without ministerial portfolio. Prime Minister Lyons filled the position between 1935 and 1937.