65. Procedures for following up Cabinet minutes that require legislation are set out in the Legislation Handbook.
Comebacks
66. Ministers may be requested to return to the Cabinet with further information. Where a 'comeback' is no longer warranted, the responsible minister should write to the Prime Minister explaining why Cabinet attention is no longer required and seek agreement to directly conclude the matter.
Implementation
67. In the Westminster system, portfolio ministers are ultimately responsible for ensuring that their policy proposals can be implemented. Nevertheless, delivery failure and success has implications for all the Cabinet ministers and collectively they have an interest in ensuring that policy design and implementation planning, for major initiatives in particular, is robust.
68. The planning, processes and advice leading up to Cabinet decisions are critical in setting the path for effective program implementation.
69. To ensure that their Cabinet colleagues are fully informed when making decisions, sponsoring ministers must ensure that their Cabinet submissions provide enough detail on risk and implementation challenges to ensure the Cabinet can make an informed decision on the efficacy of the proposal.
CABINET MEETINGS
Meeting timetable
70. Cabinet meets in the Cabinet room at Parliament House, Canberra, in most weeks of the year. Special Cabinet meetings may be held at other times and other places, as necessary, for example in Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices in a state capital city.
71. Cabinet Committees generally meet once a month or more frequently if their business requires.
72. The Parliamentary Business Committee (PBC) meets weekly during each Parliamentary sitting period and at other times, as necessary.
Meeting Chairs
73. Where the Prime Minister is unable to attend the Cabinet, the next most senior minister takes the Chair. The same principle is adopted for Cabinet Committees, if the Chair and Deputy Chair are absent.
Ministerial attendance
74. For the effective operation of the principle of collective responsibility, Cabinet and Cabinet Committee meetings must take precedence over all other ministerial business with the exception of attendance at the Federal Executive Council.
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