Working of Government
Parliament of Australia
The official website of the Parliament of Australia.
AusTender - Australian Government Tender System
The Australian Government's procurement information system, AusTender, provides centralised publication of Australian Government business opportunities, annual procurement plans, multi-use lists and contracts awarded.
Australian Constitution
This contents page from the Parliament of Australia Senate provides links to the Preamble and all chapters of the Australian Constitution.
Australian Government Lobbyists Register
The Register is a public document that contains information about lobbyists who make representations to Government on behalf of their clients: From 1 July 2008 any lobbyist who wishes to contact a Government representative for the purpose of lobbying activities must be registered. Includes a link to the Lobbying Code of Conduct.
Australian Public Service agencies
The list of APS Agencies which are divided into five categories:
Cabinet Implementation Unit
The Cabinet Implementation Unit was established in October 2003. Since then the Unit, with the support of its stakeholders, has helped improve the way Australian Government departments and agencies go about developing and implementing the Australian Government's decisions and report on the measures being implemented.
Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act) Bodies
Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 (CAC Act) bodies are entities that are subject to the CAC Act. These are: Commonwealth authorities - a statutory authority (ie a body created by legislation) that is a separate legal entity from the Commonwealth and which has the power to hold money on its own account; Commonwealth companies - companies under the Corporations Act 2001 in which the Commonwealth has a controlling interest. This page provides links to Flipchart of FMA Act Agencies / CAC Act Bodies and List of CAC Act Bodies.
Commonwealth Government Service Charters
A Service Charter is a simple public document, developed in consultation with staff and customers that continually grows with an organisation. It sets out the standards of service customers can expect. A Charter is a strong performance measurement and accountability tool as it focuses on customer service outcomes.
Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines - FMG 1
The Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines (CPGs) establish the core procurement policy framework and articulate the Government's expectations of all departments and agencies (agencies) subject to the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) and their officials when performing duties in relation to procurement.
Community Cabinet
Community Cabinet meetings give people in the community an opportunity to meet with Cabinet members in person and ask questions directly about issues which are important to them. Community Cabinet meetings will be held at various venues across Australia and will generally be held on Sundays. Details of future meetings are available from this site.
Council of Australian Governments (COAG)
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) is the peak intergovernmental forum in Australia. COAG comprises the Prime Minister, State Premiers, Territory Chief Ministers and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA). The role of COAG is to initiate, develop and monitor the implementation of policy reforms that are of national significance and which require cooperative action by Australian governments.
Emergency Management Australia (EMA)
Emergency Management Australia is an Australian Government agency with the responsibility of reducing the impact of natural and man-made disasters on the Australian community. They are also the lead Commonwealth agency responsible for disaster response.
Financial Framework
The financial framework underpins the appropriation, expenditure and use of money and resources within the Australian Government. It is an important feature of an accountable and transparent public sector and informs the daily work of Australian Government agencies, office holders and their employees.
FMA Agencies
The Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 (FMA Act) applies to Agencies that are financially part of the Commonwealth as a single legal entity. This page provides links to Flipchart of FMA Act Agencies / CAC Act Bodies and List of FMA Agencies.
Government Ministry
Lists the Australian Government Ministers and their portfolios. Also has links to previous ministries.
Guidance on Caretaker Conventions (PDF, 187KB)
Updated August 2007. During the caretaker period, the business of government continues and ordinary matters of administration still need to be addressed. However, successive governments have followed a series of practices, known as the 'caretaker conventions', which aim to ensure that their actions do not bind an incoming government and limit its freedom of action.
Guidelines and Procedures
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet provides advice to other Australian Government agencies on many aspects of public administration. This section highlights some of these guidelines and procedures.
Historical Parliamentary Information
This resource links to historical material from the official Parliamentary Handbook.
Implementing Machinery of Government Changes: A Good Practice Guide
This publication has been designed to provide practical guidance to help agencies implement machinery of government changes. It has been developed jointly by the Australian Public Service Commission, the Department of Finance and Administration, and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, in consultation with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the National Archives of Australia.
Parliamentary Handbook
The Parliamentary Handbook provides a wealth of information on the current Australian Commonwealth Parliament, together with historical information on the Parliament since Federation.
Parliamentary Information
The resources linked to from this page provide information about the current parliament and advice and guidance about the operations of Cabinet and the Federal Executive. Resources include the Administrative Arrangements Order, Ministry List, Parliamentary Sitting Dates, Legislation Proposed for Introduction and the Draft Legislation Programmes. There are also links to the Cabinet Handbook, the Federal Executive Council Handbook and the Legislation Handbook.
Procurement
The Australian Government Procurement Policy Framework establishes the principles for the government's acquisition of property and services. The framework is based on the principles of value for money; efficient, effective and ethical use of resources; and accountability and transparency in Australian Government procurement activities.
Responsibilities in the Caretaker Period
This page provides a link to Lynelle Briggs speech about public servants' responsibilities during the Caretaker period.
Scheduled Sittings for 2008
Scheduled Sitting Days of the Parliament of Australia for 2008. Links to printable and text only version of this calendar are available from this page.
Secretaries' Committee on ICT (SCICT)
The Secretaries' Committee on ICT (SCICT) is a strategic, decision-making committee for whole of government ICT use by the Australian Government.
Shadow Ministry
This page lists the Shadow Ministers and their portfolios.
Sources of Parliamentary Information
Parliamentary Library page with links to other sources of information about the Australian Parliament.
