National Numeracy Review

The deputy Prime Minister announced the National Numeracy Review on 12 July 2008.

Key documents informing the review including Terms of Reference, Background Paper, Discussion Paper, Invitational Forum Summary and Submissions from organisations can be accessed on the Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations website.

COAG National Action Plan on Mental Health – Progress Report 2006-07

This is the first in the series of annual reports for monitoring implementation of the COAG National Action Plan on Mental Health (2006 - 2011). Prepared under the auspice of Australia’s Health Ministers, it describes the progress made in 2006-07, the commencement year of the Action Plan. National Action Plan for Mental Health 2006-2011 - Progress Report 2006-07.

Implementation of the Report on the Regulation and Control of Biological Agents

Information about the progress of implementing the recommendations of the Report is available on the Department of Health and Ageing’s website.

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 September 2007.

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: 28 July, 2008
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