Canberra, 10 May 1968
Following the discussions in Canberra on the 6th and 7th May1 I now attach a check list of conclusions reached and points for further action.
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Whilst I have assumed that the points as expressed in the attachment are a reasonable record I do of course expect that you will advise if there are any points on which your understanding is significantly at variance.
Attachment 1
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Ministerial Members system
(I) Role of Assistant Administrators
1. Public Service Commissioner to examine need to amend ‘Administrative Arrangements’ Ordinance since it appears that Assistant Administrators would in future—
• as assistants to the Administrator with no (departmental) administrative functions in their own right;
• discharge responsibilities assigned to them by the Administrator; In form they would not have authority but in practice they would of course carry out what tasks the Administrator assigned to them.
(II) Nominations Committee
1. Department to produce regulations but would not specify that a member of the Nominations Committee could not be nominated for Ministerial office. Further regulations could be made if necessary.
(III) Ministerial Members
Principles in Departmental paper C. W.P.l (attachment I) adopted.2
Department to reword last two points of composite C.W.P.2 paper (attachment 2) so as not to distinguish with regard to the sharing of authority with the Departmental Head with regard to the making of policy decisions and administrative decisions.3 There would be no reference to the I.D.C.C. in C.W.P.2.
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Attachment 2
Composite C.W.P./2
Role of Ministerial Member
(I) IN RELATION TO THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY
Represent his Department in the House by answering questions;
• Introduce legislation concerning his Department’s functions and take the responsibility for guiding the legislation through all proceedings in the House;
• Give his Department’s views on resolutions and motions affecting it;
• Defend the administration of his Department;
• Support (or at least not publicly criticise) policies and actions of the Administration;
(II) In Relation to the Administrator’S Executive Council
• With the agreement of the Administrator initiate legislative proposals for submission to the Administrator’s Executive Council;
• Take part in the discussion of policy questions in which the Council is consulted by the Administrator;
• Represent the interests of his department in discussions on the draft Estimates in the Council, and on other matters affecting his department which come before the Council;
• With the approval of the Administrator introduce matters for discussion in the Council;
• Carry out decisions made by the Council.
(III) In Relation to Departmental Functions and Operations
• Assume the functions determined by the Minister in relation to his office;
• Take part in the formulation of policies and plans, and of proposals for expenditure in relation to the functions as determined for his office;
• Exercise such delegations as may be authorised by the Administrator;
• Make decisions appropriate to the functions determined for his office following consideration by him of papers and recommendations submitted to him by his department and record such decisions in writing on the papers;
• To co-operate with, and seek the advice of, the departmental head on matters related to the exercise of his functions.
[NAA: A452, 1970/4521]
1 The file relating to the visit (1968/2705) appears to have been destroyed by DOET (see NAA: Al250, box 12).
2 Attachment I is identical, bar a small number of insubstantial changes, to CWP/1 of attachment to Document 168.
3 Reference to a sharing of authority had been made in the Administration’s version of CWP/2 (see section (ll)(a)(iii) of CWP/2 in attachment to Document 171 ).