Administrative Arrangements Order - 29 May 2019 and renaming of Departments of State

Overview

The Administrative Arrangements Order 2019, made by the Governor-General in Council on 29 May 2019, establishes the Departments of State, delineates the principal matters each department deals with, and specifies the legislation administered by each Minister of State. This order was enacted to provide a clear structure for the administration of government, ensuring efficient management and accountability. The order revokes all previous administrative arrangements and reassigns responsibilities and names to various departments, reflecting the current priorities of the Australian government. The policy objective of this order is to streamline government operations and enhance the delivery of public services. The Administrative Arrangements Order 2019 was issued under section 64 of the Constitution, with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, and is available on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website. The order includes the renaming of several departments to better reflect their functions, such as the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources becoming the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Education and Training becoming the Department of Education. These changes aim to improve clarity and efficiency in government operations.

Scope and Application

The Administrative Arrangements Order, which was made on 29 May 2019 by the Governor-General in Council on the recommendation of the Prime Minister under section 64 of the Constitution, reassigns responsibilities among various departments of state and renames them. This order applies to the federal government's executive branch, specifically the Ministers of State and the departments they oversee. It affects all personnel and operations within these departments, and the changes are effective across the Commonwealth of Australia. The order does not specify any exclusions or exemptions and applies to all conduct and transactions overseen by the affected departments. The scope of this order is further defined through subordinate instruments, which may provide additional details on the implementation and enforcement of the new arrangements. This Administrative Arrangements Order is a critical instrument in shaping the administrative landscape of the Commonwealth, ensuring that the responsibilities and portfolios of government ministers are clearly delineated and communicated.

Key Provisions

The Administrative Arrangements Order (C2019G00471) outlines the Departments of State, the primary areas of responsibility for each department, and the legislation overseen by each Minister of State. Effective from 29 May 2019, the Governor-General in Council revoked all prior administrative arrangements and established new ones based on recommendations from the Prime Minister under section 64 of the Constitution. This Order is available for review on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website. The Order also includes a renaming of certain Departments of State, as specified in Column 1 to Column 2 of the document. For instance, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources is now referred to as the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Education and Training is now the Department of Education. Similarly, the Department of Human Services has been renamed Services Australia, and the Department of Jobs and Small Business has been renamed the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business. The Act imposes several obligations on the parties or entities it governs. Each department must adhere to the newly assigned names and focus on the principal matters specified in the Order. The Ministers of State are responsible for the legislation administered by their respective departments and must ensure compliance with any statutory requirements. Furthermore, the Prime Minister must submit recommendations to the Governor-General for any changes to the administrative arrangements, ensuring that the government's organisational structure remains efficient and aligned with policy objectives. The Act does not explicitly outline specific offences, penalties, or consequences for breaches. However, the failure to comply with the administrative arrangements could lead to inefficiencies in governance and potential legal challenges. The lack of specified penalties suggests that any breaches may be addressed through internal government mechanisms, political accountability, or other legislative provisions. The overarching purpose of the Administrative Arrangements Order is to provide clarity and structure to the government's operations, ensuring that each department and minister understands their responsibilities and the scope of their authority.