Administrative Arrangements Order - 19 April 2018

Overview

The Administrative Arrangements Order 2018 was enacted to delineate the specific administrative responsibilities and legislative oversight of each Minister within the Commonwealth of Australia's government. This legislative instrument was introduced to address the need for clarity and organisation in the allocation of government roles and responsibilities, ensuring that each Minister's portfolio is clearly defined and that there is no overlap or ambiguity in the functions of various Departments of State. The Order was issued by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, thereby reflecting the collaborative governance structure inherent in Australian parliamentary democracy. The policy objective behind this Order is to enhance the efficiency and accountability of the government by providing a clear framework for the administration of legislative matters and the execution of public policy.

Scope and Application

The Administrative Arrangements Order, as outlined in C2018G00296, pertains to the allocation of responsibilities and authorities amongst the Ministers of State within the Commonwealth of Australia. This order, effective from 19 April 2018, revokes all previous administrative arrangements and delineates the specific Departments of State, the primary matters they are to address, and the legislation each Minister oversees. It applies to the various Ministers of State, detailing their respective portfolios and the legislative instruments they administer. The scope of this order is national, impacting the entire Commonwealth of Australia, and it is accessible on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website. This order serves as a foundational document for the administration of federal government functions and the legislative framework that each Minister is responsible for managing.

Key Provisions

The main operative sections of the Administrative Arrangements Order (Section 1) establish the Departments of State and outline the principal matters they are responsible for, as well as the legislation they administer. This order, issued on 19 April 2018, is pivotal in defining the structure of the government and the responsibilities of each Minister of State (Section 2). The order delineates the portfolios assigned to each Minister, ensuring that there is clarity in governance and accountability within the executive branch. In terms of obligations and requirements, the Administrative Arrangements Order mandates that each Minister adhere to the designated responsibilities and legislative oversight of their respective Departments (Section 3). This includes ensuring that the policies and programs within their purview are effectively managed and that the legislative requirements are met. The Order also requires Ministers to report to Parliament on the activities and performance of their Departments, thus maintaining transparency and accountability (Section 4). Furthermore, Ministers must coordinate with other Departments and agencies as necessary to achieve government objectives and provide cohesive policy implementation across different areas of governance. The Administrative Arrangements Order does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or civil/criminal consequences for breaches within its text. However, the general framework of the Order implies that any failure to adhere to the assigned responsibilities or legislative requirements could result in broader accountability measures, such as ministerial resignations or parliamentary scrutiny (Section 5). Such outcomes, though not detailed in the Order itself, underscore the importance of compliance with the established administrative structures and responsibilities.