Discussion Paper for the Review of the Report on Government Services

COAG has requested that a Senior Officials and Heads of Treasuries Working Group undertake a review of the Report on Government Services.

As part of this review, a discussion paper on the Report on Government Services has been released. Interested parties are invited to provide feedback on the discussion paper from 18 May to 17 July 2009.

Read more about the Report on Government Services on the Productivity Commission’s website.

Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on Federal Financial Relations

COAG has reaffirmed its commitment to cooperative working arrangements through an historic new IGA that provides an overarching framework for the Commonwealth’s financial relations with the States and Territories (the States). 

More information on this Agreement and National Partnerships is now available.

Ministerial Councils

Over 40 Commonwealth-State Ministerial Councils and fora facilitate consultation and cooperation between the Australian Government and state and territory governments in specific policy areas. The councils initiate, develop and monitor policy reform jointly in these areas, and take joint action in the resolution of issues that arise between governments. In particular, Ministerial Councils develop policy reforms for consideration by COAG, and oversee the implementation of policy reforms agreed by COAG.

Responsible ministers from each government participate in the councils. In certain cases there may be more than one minister from each government represented on a council, however, where voting arrangements apply, each government generally has only one vote. New Zealand Ministers have full membership of councils when matters affecting New Zealand are being considered, for example, Trans Tasman mutual recognition. Normally, Ministerial Councils would meet only once or twice a year, although they may regularly settle issues by correspondence.

Additional information about individual Ministerial Councils can be found in the Ministerial Council Compendium, updated in April 2009.

At its meeting on 25 June 2004, COAG agreed to a number of important changes to the Broad Protocols and General Principles for the Operation of Ministerial Councils. The revised protocols and principles are available at Attachment E and Attachment F to the COAG communiqué. Attachment E was updated in December 2007 to reflect the new COAG Best Practice Regulation Guide (formerly the COAG RIS Guidelines).

Information for Ministerial Council Secretariats

The Broad Protocols and General Principles for the Operation of Ministerial Councils agreed by COAG on 25 June 2004 include new reporting requirements for Ministerial Council Secretariats. There are two aspects to the new reporting requirements.

Reporting following Ministerial Council meetings

Secretariats need to provide the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet with minutes or an outcomes document within one month of each Ministerial Council meeting, effective from the 2004 COAG meeting on 25 June.

Annual update on key issues and outcomes

Secretariats need to provide the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet with a brief update on key issues and outcomes for the Ministerial Council over the financial year. This should be provided no later than 30 September each year.

  • Ministerial Councils Annual Report Template - RTF 37KB
Last Updated: 1 April, 2009