National Cabinet (Australia) Explained

National Cabinet
Colorcode:	808080
Leader1 Title:	Chair
Leader1 Name:	Anthony Albanese (Prime Minister)
Leader2 Title:	Current members
Leader2 Name:	Chris Minns (NSW) Jacinta Allan (Vic) David Crisafulli (Qld) Roger Cook (WA) Peter Malinauskas (SA) Jeremy Rockliff (Tas) Andrew Barr (ACT) Lia Finocchiaro (NT)
Affiliation1 Title:	Affiliated
Affiliation1:	Australian federal government and the state and territory premiers and chief ministers
Country:	Australia

The National Cabinet is the primary Australian intergovernmental decision-making forum composed of the prime minister and state and territory premiers and chief ministers of Australia’s six states and two mainland territories.

Originally established on 13 March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, National Cabinet replaced the now-defunct Council of Australian Governments (COAG) as the primary intergovernmental forum on 29 May 2020, citing excessive bureaucracy and infrequent meetings.^[1] National Cabinet is composed of the main forum (prime minister, premiers, and chief ministers), and specialised committees focusing on: rural and regional Australia, skills, infrastructure, health, transport, population and migration, and energy.^[2]

History and description

The formation of the National Cabinet was announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on 13 March 2020,^[3] following a meeting of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).^[4] It was created via the "National Partnership on COVID-19 Response" agreement^[5] to "coordinate and deliver a consistent national response to COVID-19" during the global COVID-19 pandemic.^{[6] [7] [8]}

The New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, joined a National Cabinet meeting in May 2020 to discuss the economic benefits of trans-Tasman travel between the two nations.^[9]

It has been described as akin to Australia's War Cabinet during the Second World War.^[10] At the heights of the pandemic (prior to the widespread rollout of COVID-19 vaccines), meetings of National Cabinet were held using secure video conferencing. National Cabinet has been criticised for its secrecy.^[11]

Role and responsibilities

The National Cabinet is responsible for endorsing and coordinating national actions in Australia in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It is advised and supported by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC),^[12] an ongoing body composed of the Chief Medical Officer of the Commonwealth and the Chief Health Officers of each of the states and territories.^[13] The AHPPC uses the currently available modelling, research and data to inform the decisions made by the National Cabinet.^[14]

The prime minister at the time, Scott Morrison, has said that the National Cabinet has "the status of a cabinet meeting" at a federal level, meaning it has the same confidentiality and Freedom of Information protections as the federal cabinet, under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.^[8] However, this was later rejected in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, which found that the body was not a Cabinet committee and was subject to ordinary freedom of information laws.^[15]

Public policy specialist Jennifer Menzies describes the National Cabinet as "COAG by another name", which has taken on a leadership role during a time of national crisis. She writes "Though called a cabinet, the national cabinet is technically an intergovernmental forum. The conventions and rules of cabinet, such as cabinet solidarity and the secrecy provisions, do not apply to the national cabinet. Its power is that which the leaders of all Australian jurisdictions bring to negotiate on behalf of their people, and to implement the decisions reached." This model has been called executive federalism.^[14]

Current membership

Name	Office held	In office since	Party
Anthony Albanese	Prime Minister of Australia (Chair)				Labor
Chris Minns	Premier of New South Wales				Labor
Jacinta Allan	Premier of Victoria				Labor
David Crisafulli	Premier of Queensland				Liberal National
Roger Cook	Premier of Western Australia				Labor
Peter Malinauskas	Premier of South Australia				Labor
Jeremy Rockliff	Premier of Tasmania				Liberal
Andrew Barr	Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory				Labor
Lia Finocchiaro	Chief Minister of the Northern Territory				Country Liberal

Former membership

Name	Office held	Member from	Member until	Party
James Merlino	Acting Premier of Victoria	9 March 2021	28 June 2021			Labor
Gladys Berejiklian	Premier of New South Wales	13 March 2020	5 October 2021			Liberal
Steven Marshall	Premier of South Australia	13 March 2020	21 March 2022			Liberal
Peter Gutwein	Premier of Tasmania	13 March 2020	8 April 2022			Liberal
Michael Gunner	Chief Minister of the Northern Territory	13 March 2020	13 May 2022			Labor
Scott Morrison	Prime Minister of Australia	13 March 2020	23 May 2022			Liberal
Dominic Perrottet	Premier of New South Wales	5 October 2021	28 March 2023			Liberal
Mark McGowan	Premier of Western Australia	13 March 2020	8 June 2023			Labor
Daniel Andrews	Premier of Victoria	13 March 2020	27 September 2023			Labor
Annastacia Palaszczuk	Premier of Queensland	13 March 2020	15 December 2023			Labor
Natasha Fyles	Chief Minister of the Northern Territory	13 May 2022	21 December 2023			Labor
Eva Lawler	Chief Minister of the Northern Territory	21 December 2023	28 August 2024			Labor
Steven Miles	Premier of Queensland	15 December 2023	28 October 2024			Labor

Meetings and press releases

• 16 March 2020: Announcement of a "significant step-up" to the pandemic, upon the advice of the AHPPC, with additional measures in order to reduce community transmission. These included banning cruise ships from docking, enhanced screening of arrivals, and mandatory self-isolation for everyone arriving in Australia. National Cabinet also activated the second stage of the Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan for Novel Coronavirus, which "enables governments to undertake targeted action... and ensures that resources are properly allocated where needed and the risks to vulnerable people in the community are mitigated".^[16]
• 25 March 2020: PM announces creation of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission (NCCC), and clarifies role of various bodies: the National Cabinet "continues to lead the national response at a government level. The National Security Committee of Cabinet's COVID-19 Taskforce and the Expenditure Review Committee of Cabinet continue to take decisions that determine the Commonwealth's response to the global COVID-19 pandemic".^[17]
• 29 March 2020: National Cabinet noted that the rate of increase of the spread of COVID-19 was slowing, but overall numbers were still increasing and welcomed the new coronavirus app and WhatsApp channel released by the Government. It announced new limits to indoor and outdoor gatherings to two persons only (with some exceptions); discussed further social distancing measures; gave further advice to senior citizens; and agreed to a moratorium on evictions for the coming six months for both commercial and residential tenancies suffering financial distress.^[18]
• 4 May 2020: Jacinda Ardern, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, was invited to join the National Cabinet in a meeting on 5 May, to discuss strategies in dealing with the virus and the Australian COVIDSafe app.^[19]
• 29 May 2020: PM announces that the National Cabinet will replace COAG on a permanent basis, meeting monthly once the pandemic is over.^[20]
• 18 September 2020: National Cabinet met to discuss Australia's COVID-19 response, recent progress following the Victorian outbreak and easing restrictions (including international border measures).^[21]
• 16 October 2020: National Cabinet meeting postponed to "technical problems" with Prime Minister Morrison's plane.^[22]
• 23 October 2020: National Cabinet discussed and made announcements regarding progress following the Victorian outbreak, the budget, and made announcements on the newly-developed "Framework for National Reopening Australia by Christmas", improving quarantine systems, returning citizens, the Mental Health National Cabinet Reform Committee, Aged Care Emergency Response Centres, and the establishment of a Taskforce on Veterans’ Wellbeing.^[23]
• 13 November 2020 (31st meeting): National Cabinet discussed Australia's COVID-19 response, COVID-19 vaccination policy, the Framework for National Reopening by Christmas, helping Australians prepare to go back to work in a COVID-safe environment, getting the economy moving again, a review of contact tracing and outbreak management systems, returning Australians, international students and other matters.^[24]
• 22 January 2021: National Cabinet convened to discuss international return limits and COVID-19 vaccines.^[25] The forum decided to remain at a reduced rate, following the introduction of the more infectious UK strain into Australia, until 15 February.^[26] National Cabinet also agreed that the COVID-19 vaccine is not currently planned to be mandatory for aged care workers, but may become so later, noting concerns from the industry that it should be mandatory.^[27]
• 4 June 2021: National Cabinet met to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and changes to the Australian COVID-19 Vaccine Strategy.^[28]
• 6 December 2023: National Cabinet met to discuss reforms around gun control - implementing a National Firearms Registry triggered by the aftermath of the Wieambilla shootings, healthcare - boosting funding for Medicare Urgent Care Clinics (an election promise of the Albanese Government),^[29] the National Disability Insurance Scheme - to cap growth at 8 per cent and controlling growth, Goods and Services Tax - extending the No Worse Off Guarantee until 2027-28 to ensure states are funded equitably.^[30]

Succession of COAG

There had been suggestions for the National Cabinet to continue on a permanent basis after the pandemic is over, effectively replacing COAG. On 14 April 2020, Prime Minister Morrison was reported saying, "The processes we've established for the National Cabinet may prove to be a better way for our federal system to work in the future, but this will be a matter for another time", and Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said no other state leaders had objected when he had brought up the idea of continuing the National Cabinet. He also told The Australian newspaper, "The National Cabinet process has removed the political boundaries that can hamper COAG".^{[31] [32]}

Former Labor premier of South Australia Jay Weatherill called it a "fantastic innovation [that] should continue", adding that it had "achieved more in the last few months than many COAGs have achieved over many years".^[33]

On 29 May 2020, the Prime Minister announced that the National Cabinet would replace COAG (with COAG being abolished) and meetings after the pandemic would be held monthly, instead of the biannual meetings of COAG. According to Simon Benson of The Australian newspaper, an analogy used to describe the significance of this was "as if the United Nations had been turned into a government".^[34]

Further reading

• COVID-19: What is Australia's National Cabinet? [Law and Covid-19: Australia's National Cabinet |first=Cheryl |last=Saunders |date=14 April 2020 |others=University of Melbourne. Melbourne Law School]. YouTube . (5 mins 50 secs)
• News: A New Federalism? The Role and Future of the National Cabinet . University of Melbourne . Cheryl . Saunders . 1 July 2020.

Notes and References

1. News: Hitch . Georgia . 29 May 2020 . Scott Morrison says National Cabinet here to stay, will replace COAG meetings in wake of coronavirus . . 14 September 2020.
2. News: Hitch . Georgia . 12 June 2020 . Key moments from the Prime Minister's latest coronavirus press conference after National Cabinet meeting . . 14 September 2020.
3. Advice on coronavirus . Prime Minister of Australia . 13 March 2020 . 1 April 2020 . 8 April 2020 . Prime Minister . Minister for Health . Chief Medical Officer. https://web.archive.org/web/20200408045851/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/advice-coronavirus . dead .
4. Web site: Martin . Sarah . PM tells Australians to 'stop hoarding' as he announces sweeping measures to slow spread of coronavirus . . 18 March 2020 . live . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207023817/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Faustralia-news%2F2020%2Fmar%2F18%2Fpm-tells-australians-to-stop-hoarding-as-he-announces-sweeping-measures-to-slow-spread-of-coronavirus. 1 April 2020.
5. https://www.coag.gov.au/sites/default/files/communique/covid19-npa.pdf National Partnership on COVID-19 Response
6. Web site: Shoebridge . Michael . The national cabinet is key to our coronavirus response. Here's how it will need to work . The Canberra Times . 18 March 2020 . subscription . live . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207024255/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6684142/the-national-cabinet-is-key-to-our-coronavirus-response-heres-how-it-will-need-to-work/ . 1 April 2020.
7. Transcript - Press Conference . . 15 March 2020 . Canberra.
8. News: Burton . Tom . National cabinet creates a new federal model . Australian Financial Review . 18 March 2020 . 30 March 2020 . subscription . 7 December 2023 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207024634/https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/national-cabinet-creates-a-new-federal-model-20200318-p54bar.
9. News: Jacinda Ardern says travel with Australia amid coronavirus pandemic could have 'huge advantages' . Stephen . Dziedzic . ABC News. 4 May 2020 . en-AU. 18 May 2020.
10. News: subscription . Inside Morrison's Covid-19 war cabinet . The Saturday Paper. Karen . Middleton. Karen Middleton (journalist) . 293 . 21–27 March 2020. 1 April 2020 . live . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207025735/https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2020/03/21/inside-morrisons-covid-19-war-cabinet/15847092009562#hrd.
11. News: Anthony Albanese backflips on national cabinet secrecy and refuses to say why . . 17 June 2022 . en . Paul . Karp . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207025905/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jun/17/anthony-albanese-backflips-on-national-cabinet-secrecy-and-refuses-to-say-why . 7 December 2023 . live.
12. Web site: Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) . Australian Government Department of Health . 6 February 2020 . 7 December 2023 . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/gvfdh . live . 31 March 2020.
13. 16 March 2020 . Coronavirus measures endorsed by National Cabinet . Prime Minister of Australia . . 30 March 2020 . 11 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200411171559/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/coronavirus-measures-endorsed-national-cabinet . dead .
14. Web site: Menzies . Jennifer . Explainer: what is the national cabinet and is it democratic? . The Conversation . 31 March 2020 . 31 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207030345/https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-the-national-cabinet-and-is-it-democratic-135036 . 7 December 2023 . live.
15. Web site: Twomey . Anne . 2021-08-06 . Nowhere to hide: the significance of national cabinet not being a cabinet . 2024-03-15 . The Conversation . en-US.
16. Web site: Coronavirus measures endorsed by National Cabinet . Prime Minister of Australia . 1 April 2020 . 11 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200411171559/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/coronavirus-measures-endorsed-national-cabinet . dead .
17. National Covid-19 Coordination Commission . 25 March 2020 . Prime Minister of Australia . 1 April 2020 . 10 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200410151256/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/national-covid-19-coordination-commission . dead .
18. National Cabinet Statement . Prime Minister of Australia . 29 March 2020 . 30 March 2020 . 15 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200415221629/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/national-cabinet-statement . dead .
19. Web site: Murphy . Katharine . Jacinda Ardern joins national cabinet meeting as Australia, New Zealand share coronavirus strategy . The Guardian . 4 May 2020 . 4 May 2020.
20. Web site: Update following National Cabinet meeting . Prime Minister of Australia . 29 May 2020.
21. Web site: Media Statement, 18 Sep 2020, Prime Minister . Prime Minister of Australia . 22 October 2020.
22. Web site: National Cabinet postponed after PM Scott Morrison's plane suffers 'technical problems' . . 15 October 2020 . 22 October 2020.
23. Web site: National Cabinet: Media Release . Prime Minister of Australia . 23 October 2020 . 23 November 2020.
24. Web site: National Cabinet: Media Statement . Prime Minister of Australia . 13 November 2020 . 23 November 2020.
25. News: Macmillan . Jade . 22 January 2021 . National Cabinet to meet again with coronavirus vaccine, international arrivals on the agenda . . 22 January 2021.
26. News: Worthington . Brett . 22 January 2021 . International arrival caps to remain unchanged with National Cabinet dashing hopes of Australians stranded by COVID . . 22 January 2021.
27. News: Scott . Sophie . Lloyd . Mary . Hermant . Norman . 22 January 2021 . COVID-19 vaccines not mandatory for aged care workers, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces after National Cabinet . . 22 January 2021.
28. Web site: National Cabinet Statement - 4 June 2021 . 13 June 2021.
29. News: Labor to commit $135m to trial 50 urgent care clinics intended to ease pressure on hospitals. 7 December 2023 . 7 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207062103/https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/13/labor-to-commit-135m-to-trial-50-urgent-care-clinics-intended-to-ease-pressure-on-hospitals . live . 13 April 2022 . Sarah . Martin . The Guardian Australia.
30. Meeting of National Cabinet – the Federation working for Australia. 7 December 2023 . 7 December 2023 . 6 December 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207062356/https://www.pm.gov.au/media/meeting-national-cabinet-federation-working-australia . live . . Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 . .
31. News: . 14 April 2020 . Ditch COAG, keep virus team 'Ditch COAG, keep national cabinet'. 14 April 2020.
32. News: Scott Morrison considers making National Cabinet permanent . . 14 April 2020 . 14 April 2020.
33. News: Retain national cabinet post-pandemic: ex-Premier . InDaily . Tom . Richardson . 6 May 2020 . 6 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231207033702/https://indaily.com.au/news/2020/05/06/retain-national-cabinet-post-pandemic-ex-premier/ . 7 December 2023 . live.
34. Web site: . Benson . Simon . 29 May 2020 . All parties eager for new national forum . subscription . 30 May 2020.