Administrative Arrangements Order - 19 July 2016

Overview

The Administrative Arrangements Order, 2016, issued on 19 July 2016, is an instrument that details the Departments of State within the Australian government, their principal functions, and the legislative responsibilities of each Minister of State. This Order amends the previous Administrative Arrangements Order made on 30 September 2015 and subsequently modified on 18 February 2016. The order is issued by the Governor-General, acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and is designed to ensure efficient governance by clearly delineating the roles and responsibilities of the various departments and ministers. The specific schedule of amendments can be found on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website, providing transparency and accessibility to the public. The overarching policy objective of these amendments is to streamline the administrative processes within the government, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of public administration and policy implementation.

Scope and Application

The Administrative Arrangements Order, as amended on 19 July 2016, delineates the various Departments of State within the Commonwealth of Australia and outlines the primary areas of responsibility for each department, along with the specific legislation each Minister of State administers. This administrative framework is crucial for the effective governance and management of public policy and legislative responsibilities. The Order itself does not directly apply to individuals or specific entities but rather serves as an organisational structure for the administration of government business. Its jurisdictional reach is inherently national, as it pertains to the allocation of responsibilities within the federal government, thereby impacting all aspects of policy-making and legislative execution across Australia. There are no direct exclusions, exemptions, or thresholds stipulated within this particular Order; however, the scope of its application can be extended or refined through subordinate instruments and subsequent administrative arrangements that may be issued by the Governor-General with the advice of the Federal Executive Council.

Key Provisions

The Administrative Arrangements Order, as amended by the Governor-General on 19 July 2016, sets out the allocation of responsibilities among various Departments of State, detailing the primary areas of focus for each department and the legislation each Minister of State is responsible for (Section 1). This Order serves to organise the executive branch of the government, ensuring that each Minister is clearly accountable for specific legislative and policy areas. The changes made to the Order on this date reflect adjustments to the ministerial responsibilities as the government evolves or as new priorities emerge. The obligations imposed by the Administrative Arrangements Order (Section 2) require each Minister to oversee the administration and implementation of the legislation assigned to their department. This includes ensuring compliance with the laws, providing necessary resources for enforcement, and reporting to Parliament on the performance and activities of their department. Additionally, Ministers are expected to liaise with other departments and agencies to ensure cohesive and effective governance. The Order also places a duty on each Minister to keep their department's activities transparent and accountable to the public and Parliament. Breaches of the Administrative Arrangements Order can lead to various consequences, depending on the nature and severity of the violation (Section 3). While the Order itself does not outline specific offences or penalties, failure to adhere to the delineated responsibilities can result in ministerial accountability issues, potential parliamentary inquiries, or even political consequences. Furthermore, if the mismanagement or neglect of duties under the Order leads to broader legal issues, such as breaches of other legislative provisions, the Minister could face legal action. The penalties for such breaches would then be determined by the specific laws that have been contravened, which could include fines, imprisonment, or other sanctions as prescribed by those laws.