Cabinet Handbook examples

The Cabinet Handbook is produced as a guide for staff in government agencies and Ministerial offices to ensure the effective delivery of Cabinet each week.

The following individual examples and templates have been prepared to show the correct style and layout of Cabinet documents.

Templates:

Please note: To view content heading in Cabinet cover sheet templates, you will need to type 'show/hide editing marks' in the search bar of Microsoft Word.

Late Lodgement or ‘Under the Line’ Requests:

You must complete a request for late lodgement form where a critical or unforeseen circumstance requires a matter to be lodged late with Cabinet Office (under ten working days for a Cabinet Minute or under five calendar days for a Cabinet Briefing).

• Request for Late Lodgement form

Requests for late lodgement must be approved by the Premier (or their delegate) in consultation with the Cabinet Secretary and then be submitted to the Cabinet Office with the relevant Cabinet submission.

Cabinet Office must be advised as soon as it is known an issue may be submitted to Cabinet under the line, and that an application for late lodgement is forthcoming.

More information on requests for late lodgement can be found in Section 7 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Cabinet Minutes

A Cabinet Minute should be used when seeking Cabinet’s approval for a particular policy or course of action. The Minute format ensures that all relevant and appropriate information is provided. This document requires the use of the Cabinet Minute cover sheet.

• Cabinet Minute template (MS Word, 17KB)
• Cabinet Minute cover sheet template (MS Word, 9KB)
• Cabinet Legislative Minute cover sheet (MS Word 14KB)

Additional materials:

• Communications strategy (MS Word, 310KB)
• Legislative checklist (MS Word, 19KB)
• Financial Impact Statement (MS Word, 20KB)
• PLP proposed leg advisory (MS Word, 15KB)

More information on Cabinet Minutes can be found in Section 4 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Information Briefing

An Information Briefing should be used when information is being provided for noting only. Information Briefings should not seek approval or endorsement. This document requires the use of the Cabinet Briefing cover sheet.

• Information Briefing template (MS Word, 20KB)
• Cabinet Briefing cover sheet template (MS Word, 7KB)

More information on information briefings can be found in Section 6.3 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Board Appointment Briefing

Use a Board Appointment Briefing when seeking endorsement of proposed appointments to boards, authorities and committees.

• Board Appointment briefing template (MS Word, 18KB)
• Cabinet process for board appointments (gender equity) guidelines (PDF, 264KB)
• Tasmanian Women's Register Appointment Certification Form (MS Word, 104KB)

More information on board appointment briefings can be found in Section 6.4 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Final Bill Briefing

A Final Bill Briefing should be used when seeking endorsement of a Final Bill for introduction into the Parliament.

• Final Bill Briefing template (MS Word, 18KB)

More information on final bill briefings can be found in Section 6.5 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Committee Briefing

A Committee Briefing should be used when seeking endorsement of the Record of Decisions made by a Cabinet Committee.

• Committee Briefing template (MS Word, 22KB)

More information on committee briefings can be found in Section 6.6 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Senior Appointment Briefing

Use a Senior Appointment Briefing when advising Cabinet of senior and statutory appointments to the State Service.

• Senior Appointment Briefing template (MS Word, 18KB)

More information on senior appointment briefings can be found in Section 6.4 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Appointment of a Chief Executive Officer to a Government Business Enterprise and State-owned Company

Use a Government Business Enterprise and State-owned Company Appointment Briefing when seeking Cabinet to note the proposed appointments and reappointments of a Chief Executive Officer of the Business.

• Proposed Government Appointment template  (MS Word, 49KB)

More information on proposed government appointments can be found in Section 6.4 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Agency Comment

The Agency Comment format is used when providing an Agency’s response to a request for comment on a Cabinet Minute or briefing.

• Agency Comment template (MS Word, 18KB)

More information on providing agency comments can be found in Section 8.4 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Committee Papers

A Committee Paper is required when issues are to be considered by a Cabinet Committee rather than full Cabinet.  This is a suggested format which may, if required, be amended to better suit particular issues.

• Download template (MS Word, 19KB)

More information on committee papers can be found in Section 11.4 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Explanatory Note for Executive Council (EXCO)

An EXCO note is required to advise Cabinet about matters which require Executive Council approval but have not previously been considered by Cabinet.

• Explanatory note template (MS Word, 18KB)

More information on explanatory notes can be found in Section 12.1 of the Cabinet Handbook.

Further Information:

Cabinet Office

Level 4, 15 Murray Street HOBART 7000

For general enquiries: Cabinet.Office@dpac.tas.gov.au

For Cabinet and Executive Council Process enquiries: 6185 6088