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What does the executive do?
Develop Policy
Implements laws passed by
parliament
Implement government policy/
administer government department
Declare war and peace;
send troops to war
Conducts foreign affairs,
national defence, security
Sign international treaties
Intercept and detain aliens
Prosecute criminal offences
Pardon offenders
Provide services, benefits,
welfare
Coin money
Regulate individual and group
behaviour
Key Institutions
- Cabinet:
Ā® High-level body compromised of the Prime Minister and other senior
government Ministers.
Ā® Central driver of national policy
Ā® Sets the agenda for the government of the day
Ā® Principal of collective responsibility: Each member of Cabinet
supports, and is responsible for, the decisions made by cabinet
o Ministers must answer to parliament for the decisions of
Cabinet
Ā® Secrecy:
o Cabinet Handbook
ā¢ Not publicly talk about matters that they propose to
bring to the cabinet announce a major new policy
without previous Cabinet approval
ā¢ Not express private views on Government policies
nor speak about or otherwise become involved in a
ministerial colleague's portfolio without first
consulting that colleague and possibly the Prime
minister
ā¢ Understand that absolute confidentiality of cabinet
discussions is essential
- Ministers:
Ā® Members of parliament, and the political party that holds the
majority of seats in the lower house
Ā® This demonstrates that there is no strict separation between
executive and legislative branches of government
