Federal Cabinet and cabinet committees

Composition

• The Prime Minister and federal ministers, who must be members of Parliament (up to one-fourth of ministers may be from the Senate).
• Ministers of state assist ministers.
• Up to five advisers to the Prime Minister may attend; special assistants may also be appointed.
• The 18th Amendment capped the cabinet at 11% of the total membership of Parliament.

Functions

• Decides national policy and major administrative questions.
• Approves bills, ordinances and the budget proposals.
• Approves international agreements.
• Decides disputes among ministries.
• Collective responsibility to the National Assembly.

Cabinet committees

• Economic Coordination Committee (ECC): economic and financial matters.
• Cabinet Committee on Energy: power and petroleum sectors.
• Cabinet Committee on Privatisation: sale and restructuring of state enterprises.
• Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases: reviews draft laws and rules.
• Cabinet Committee on Inter-Governmental Commercial Transactions.
• National Security Committee: national security matters, with civil and military leadership.
• Ad hoc committees for specific issues.

Issues

• Large cabinets increase costs without improving performance.
• Approval 'by circulation' reduces discussion.
• Weak follow-up on decisions.

Conclusion

Collective decision-making through the Cabinet and its committees ensures coordinated policy. It works best when the cabinet is compact, meets regularly and follows the Rules of Business.