Chapter 5 Flashcards
Explain the difference between the ‘constitutional’ executive and the ‘political executive’
The constitutional executive is defined in the constitution, where the executive power is given to the GG s61
outline 4 main roles of ministers
- maintain specific portfolios
- to participate in cabinet meetings and to deliberate matters surrounding his policy areas
- publicly agree and support cabinet decisions
- answer to parliament about their character and their portfolio
define cabinet
The cabinet is the council of senior ministers who are empowered by the government to take binding decisions on its behalf
Why is Cabinet a ‘product of convention and practice’
Cabinets roles and powers have no legal basis in the constitution. This means they have been developed informally over time through Westminster conventions
Outline the process for choosing a Cabinet
- PM decides who they want as ministers
- GG uses express powers to swear ministers in
what are 4 arguments that justify the convention of cabinet secrecy
- Cabinet must speak as a united voice, and as the media would portray them as fractured if they openly debated
- Because secrecy gives ministers confidence, the robust discussion leads to the best decisions possible
- Public debate would shatter the perception of ‘one government’ and allow opp. to drive wedges between ministers
- Secrecy allows ministers to present their best arguments and convince colleagues.
What is Cabinet solidarity
Cabinet solidarity is the ideal and convention that Cabinet is united on all fronts, and as such all of it’s ministers make the same decisions
How can decisions within Cabinet be made
consensus, majority, Prime Ministerial authority (where PM imposes their will) and Caucus/party room pressure (back benchers pressure senior ministers)
To what extent are the Cabinet conventions still relevant in modern Australia
They are still relevant, however the fact that party discipline is very high, Cabinet conventions are no longer as necessary to reach an agreement through discussion or for the unity of gov. The conventions are not so strictly adhered to anymore.
Eg. (strict) Gary Punch 1993, proposed runway through his electorate, resigned from cabinet due to convention
Eg. (loose) Barany Joyce 2015, openly criticised Abbott gov’s decision to build coal mine in his electorate, didn’t resign and wasn’t disciplined/sacked
Outline the roles and purpose of Cabinet committees
Cabinet committees are sub-divisions of Cabinet which focus on specific areas of government activity (Eg. National Security Committee which focuses on major international security issues of importance to Australia)
or, general government activity (Eg. Expenditure Review Committee, examines budget’s and targets areas where savings could be made)
What is the Ministry?
The ministry is composed of all Ministers, and is officially called the Federal Executive Council, and advised the executive (Cabinet) on how to administer the law
What is the difference between the inner and outer Ministry
Outer Ministry- Assistant ministers, junior ministers (less important portfolios) Eg. Michael Keenan-Minister for justice, Wyat Roy-assistant minister for innovation
Inner Ministry- senior ministers
How has the role of Parliamentary Secretaries evolved in modern government
Prior to 2000, Parliamentary secretaries essentially supported cabinet ministers, however in 2015, Turnbull granted them title of minister, and as such they reduce the complexity and work of a portfolio. The role has increased
What are the main roles of Prime Minister
- Being responsible for the membership of cabinet
- advising the GG
- Setting Cabinets agenda and guides decisions
What factors does the PM derive his power from
- Being leader of the majority party in HoR
- Chairing Cabinet meetings
- Having access to information
- Patronage
- Determining election date
- public face of gov
How does being the leader of the majority party in the HoR give the PM power
- gives the PM the power to determine the processes and procedures of the House, and to control the passage of legislation and debate
- allows the PM to determine the result of all votes in the lower house
How does being chairperson of cabinet meetings give the PM power
- gives PM power to determine business and priorities of gov, controlling business list for meetings
- Ministers must submit items they wish to bring to meetings that adhere to the ‘Ten Day Rule’ and have specific number of pages etc
How does having access to information give the PM power
- information is power
- PM has dedicated department (Department of PM and Cabinet) which gives high quality policy advice etc
- most informed person in political system
How does patronage give the PM power
- can promote back benchers to junior ministers
- can promote outer to inner
- allocate portfolios
- demote and dismiss Eg. Senator David Johnston (defence)
How does determining the election date give the PM power
- gives PM power over electoral cycle
- PM will call election when the polls show them in favour, and will use budget to appeal to particular groups Eg. Howards Battlers
How does being the public face of government give the PM power
- PM’s who are competent media performers can enhance their powers through this medium
- Backbenchers in marginal seats, are highly likely to support a PM who is popular
- Conversely, if a PM isn’t popular, backbenchers will turn on them Eg. Tony Abbott->Turnbull
How does not having a personal mandate acts as a significant limit on PM’s power
A president, someone who does have a personal mandate, cannot be removed (unless impeached).
A PM however, can be deposed if their party loses faith in their leadership abilities
Eg. Rudd-Guillard-Rudd
Abbot-Turnbull
How can a leaky cabinet undermine PM power
A leaky cabinet is a sure sign of a fractured and weakened cabinet, so the PM must change their approaches to policy areas, or else they lose their leadership
How can Cabinet rivals and their own party limit PM power
- quickest route to Prime Ministership is to depose the current leader
- party members have the power to elect their own leader
- Abbott, Hawke and Rudd all succumbed to leadership challenges within cabinet
How can PM’s power be limited?
lack of cabinet solidarity, party rivals, federalism, constraints by party/s
How can federalism limit PM power
-constitutional limit to PM’s power as they cannot legislate in residual power areas
How can opposition limit PM power
- holds gov accountable, presents itself as a viable alternative
- Tony Abbott=effective opposition leader, 2xRudd, Guillard
How can negative media attention and polling limit PM power
-occurs if PM cannot meet the news cycles demands
-constantly low polling will cause parties to panic
Eg. Turnbull cited polls when he took over Liberal leadership
How can having a minority government limit PM power
- PM must consult other parties in order to pass legislation
- Eg. Julia Guillard in 2010
Explain why the personal qualities of any PM are critical in modern politics
Traits like intelligence, charisma and strong negotiation are important for PM’s to have, which builds public confidence in a competent leader
How does the Westminster Chain of Accountability operate
- people directly elect parliament
- HoR chooses gov (indirect)
- departments implement mandated policy
- parliament holds ministers accountable
List 4 roles of cabinet
- to develop and implement policy
- coordinate the machinery of government
- To respond to crises
- To develop and communicate the narrative and vision of gov
What is the narrative and vision of government
it is the collective view of government and long term plan for it’s policy and legislative agenda. This is influenced by the parties ideology
How is government policy developed and implemented
Policy’s are developed by government through robust discussion in Cabinet meetings. Policy’s are implemented through legislation and regulation (executive uses powers to implement statutes, Eg. Abbott’s investment mandate directive)
How is the machinery of government coordinated by Cabinet
24% of economic activity in the nation
Ministers head departments, departments give advice
political power flows downwards, bureaucratic power is guided and restrained by Westminster Chain
What are some examples of how Cabinet responds to crises
2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, 2008 GFC, 2015 Lindt Cafe Siege
What factors affect the functioning of Cabinet
- the PM
- relationship between Ministers
- Timing
How does the PM affect the functioning of Cabinet
-Personal history as a leader (strengthened or weakened them in eyes of colleagues)
How do relationships between ministers affect the functioning of Cabinet
- potentially divided by rivalry
- Rudd 2007-2010 was dysfunctional with over use of PM authority
- compromises must be made if coalition government
- Abbott used PM authority alot, which caused problems in his Cabinet
How does timing affect the functioning of Cabinet
- new gov may find it difficult to make decisions because of lack of experience
- mature government makes decisions easily
- long-term government lacks new ideas
