Federal Executive Council
Information about Federal Executive Council
The Federal Executive Council is the formal body holding executive authority under the Australian Constitution. It is equivalent to the other Executive Councils in other Commonwealth Realms such as the Executive Council of New Zealand and is equivalent to the Privy Councils in Canada and the United Kingdom. The Executive Council is presided over by the Governor-General of Australia and exists to "advise" (in reality to direct) the Governor-General in the administration of the government. Unlike the British and Canadian councils, the Leader of the Opposition is not typically appointed to the Federal Executive Council.
The Council is established by section 62 of the Constitution. Section 64 establishes that all Ministers of State (ie Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries) are members of the Council. Membership of the Council is normally for life, although in practice only serving government Ministers are invited to attend meetings. The Executive Council differs from the Cabinet, in that the Cabinet only includes currently serving, senior Ministers. Members of the Executive Council are entitled to the style The Honourable. Even though former Ministers (including those who have retired from political life) are rarely if ever called to attend Executive Council meetings, they formally remain "Executive-Councillors-on-call", and thus are entitled to the style "The Honourable" for life.
The position of Vice-President of the Executive Council is usually given to a Member of Cabinet. The appointment of Sir James Killen to this post in 1982 was controversial because the office was seen as a sinecure given that he held no Ministerial portfolio. He was nevertheless considered a member of the Ministry by virtue of this office, and he even administered a small, short-lived department (the Department of the Vice-President of the Executive Council).
Meetings do not require the Governor-General's attendance, but the Governor-General must be notified of the meeting in order for it to be valid. A quorum for meetings is the Governor-General and two serving ministers or parliamentary secretaries. If the Governor-General is not in attendance, Quorum is the Vice-President and two serving ministers or parliamentary secretaries. In the absence of the Vice-President, quorum is three ministers, one of whom, a senior minister, will preside. In practice, meetings will only be attended by a small number of Councillors rather than the full Cabinet.
Most of the powers vested in the Governor-General, such as appointments and the authorisation of budgets, are exercisable only by "the Governor-General in Council" - that is, under advice from the Federal Executive Council. The Council acts as a formal ratification body for decisions of the Cabinet. In a parallel manner to the Royal Assent given to legislative Acts by the Governor-General after they have passed both Houses of Parliament, proposed executive actions will receive the approval of the Governor-General in Council after they have been agreed to by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Each state of Australia also has an Executive Council, presided over in like manner by the Governor of that State.
The Governor-General has the power to dismiss any member of the Executive Council, but that power is rarely exercised in practice. It might be exercised, if hypothetically a former minister was convicted of a serious criminal offence.
One notable case was that of Senator Glenister Sheil (Queensland). After Malcolm Fraser's government was re-elected at the 1977 general election on 10 December, he gave consideration to the make-up of his new ministry. On 19 December 1977, he announced publicly the names of the new ministers, including Senator Sheil as the new Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Sheil was sworn in as an Executive Councillor. However, before Sheil had had a chance to be sworn in as a Minister, he made public statements about apartheid that were at odds with the government's attitude to the issue. Fraser then decided he would not proceed with his inclusion of Shiel in the ministry. His appointment as an Executive Councillor without portfolio was terminated on 22 December.[1]
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The Council is established by section 62 of the Constitution. Section 64 establishes that all Ministers of State (ie Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries) are members of the Council. Membership of the Council is normally for life, although in practice only serving government Ministers are invited to attend meetings. The Executive Council differs from the Cabinet, in that the Cabinet only includes currently serving, senior Ministers. Members of the Executive Council are entitled to the style The Honourable. Even though former Ministers (including those who have retired from political life) are rarely if ever called to attend Executive Council meetings, they formally remain "Executive-Councillors-on-call", and thus are entitled to the style "The Honourable" for life.
The position of Vice-President of the Executive Council is usually given to a Member of Cabinet. The appointment of Sir James Killen to this post in 1982 was controversial because the office was seen as a sinecure given that he held no Ministerial portfolio. He was nevertheless considered a member of the Ministry by virtue of this office, and he even administered a small, short-lived department (the Department of the Vice-President of the Executive Council).
Meetings do not require the Governor-General's attendance, but the Governor-General must be notified of the meeting in order for it to be valid. A quorum for meetings is the Governor-General and two serving ministers or parliamentary secretaries. If the Governor-General is not in attendance, Quorum is the Vice-President and two serving ministers or parliamentary secretaries. In the absence of the Vice-President, quorum is three ministers, one of whom, a senior minister, will preside. In practice, meetings will only be attended by a small number of Councillors rather than the full Cabinet.
Most of the powers vested in the Governor-General, such as appointments and the authorisation of budgets, are exercisable only by "the Governor-General in Council" - that is, under advice from the Federal Executive Council. The Council acts as a formal ratification body for decisions of the Cabinet. In a parallel manner to the Royal Assent given to legislative Acts by the Governor-General after they have passed both Houses of Parliament, proposed executive actions will receive the approval of the Governor-General in Council after they have been agreed to by the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Each state of Australia also has an Executive Council, presided over in like manner by the Governor of that State.
The Governor-General has the power to dismiss any member of the Executive Council, but that power is rarely exercised in practice. It might be exercised, if hypothetically a former minister was convicted of a serious criminal offence.
One notable case was that of Senator Glenister Sheil (Queensland). After Malcolm Fraser's government was re-elected at the 1977 general election on 10 December, he gave consideration to the make-up of his new ministry. On 19 December 1977, he announced publicly the names of the new ministers, including Senator Sheil as the new Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Sheil was sworn in as an Executive Councillor. However, before Sheil had had a chance to be sworn in as a Minister, he made public statements about apartheid that were at odds with the government's attitude to the issue. Fraser then decided he would not proceed with his inclusion of Shiel in the ministry. His appointment as an Executive Councillor without portfolio was terminated on 22 December.[1]
References
- Federal Executive Council of Australia Handbook, from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
In political science and constitutional law, the executive is the branch of government responsible for the day-to-day management of the state. In many countries, it is referred to simply as the government, but this usage can be confusing in an international context.
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Australia
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Australia
Federal Government
Executive
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This article is part of the series:
Politics of Australia
Federal Government
Executive
- Queen (Queen Elizabeth II)
- Governor-General (Michael Jeffery)
- Prime Minister (John Howard)
- Cabinet
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Executive Council may refer to:
In politics:
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In politics:
- Executive Council (Canada), a constitutional organ headed by the Lieutenant-Governor
- Executive Council (Commonwealth countries), a constitutional organ which exercises executive power and advises the governor
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New Zealand
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Politics of New Zealand
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This article is part of the series:
Politics of New Zealand
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- Sovereign
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A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically in a monarchy.
The word "privy" means "private" or "secret" thus a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on affairs of state.
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The word "privy" means "private" or "secret" thus a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on affairs of state.
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Motto
"Dieu et mon droit" [2] (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
"God Save the Queen" [3]
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"Dieu et mon droit" [2] (French)
"God and my right"
Anthem
"God Save the Queen" [3]
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Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is the representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia. He or she exercises the supreme executive power of the Commonwealth.
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Canada
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Politics and government of
Canada
Federal
Executive (The Crown)
Sovereign (Queen Elizabeth II)
Governor General (Michalle Jean)
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
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This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Canada
Federal
Executive (The Crown)
Sovereign (Queen Elizabeth II)
Governor General (Michalle Jean)
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
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The Leader of the Opposition is a title traditionally held by the leader of the largest party not in government in a Westminster System of parliamentary government. The Leader of the Opposition is often seen as the alternative Prime Minister to the present incumbent, and heads a
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For other uses of "Minister," see Minister.
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A Parliamentary Secretary is a member of a Parliament in the Westminster system who assists a more senior minister with their duties.
In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the
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In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the
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Cabinet of Australia is the council of senior ministers, responsible to parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Prime Minister and serve at his pleasure, although officially the Governor General controls their appointments. The Cabinet meets once a week to discuss vital issues.
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The prefix The Honourable or The Honorable (abbreviated to "The Hon." or formerly "The Hon'ble") is a title of quality attached to the names of certain classes of persons.
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The Vice-President of the Executive Council is a position in Australian governments, whose holder acts as presiding officer of the Federal Executive Council in the absence of the Governor-General or Governor, who is the substantive President of the Executive Council although the
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Sir Denis James "Jim" Killen, AC, KCMG (23 November 1925, Dalby, Queensland, Australia - 12 January 2007, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia), was an Australian politician.
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Education and early career
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19th century - 20th century - 21st century
1950s 1960s 1970s - 1980s - 1990s 2000s 2010s
1979 1980 1981 - 1982 - 1983 1984 1985
Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII
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1950s 1960s 1970s - 1980s - 1990s 2000s 2010s
1979 1980 1981 - 1982 - 1983 1984 1985
Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII
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A sinecure (from Latin sine, without, and cura, care) means an office which requires or involves little or no responsibility, labour, or active service. Examples are the Lord Privy Seal and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in the British cabinet.
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In law, a quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative body necessary to conduct the business of that group. Ordinarily, this is a majority of the people expected to be there, although many bodies may have a lower or higher quorum.
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A Parliamentary Secretary is a member of a Parliament in the Westminster system who assists a more senior minister with their duties.
In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the
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In the parliamentary systems of several Commonwealth countries, such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia, it is customary for the
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The granting of Royal Assent is the formal method by which a constitutional monarch completes the legislative process of lawmaking by formally assenting to an Act of Parliament.
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Australia
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Australia
Federal Government
Executive
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This article is part of the series:
Politics of Australia
Federal Government
Executive
- Queen (Queen Elizabeth II)
- Governor-General (Michael Jeffery)
- Prime Minister (John Howard)
- Cabinet
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The states and territories of Australia make up the Commonwealth of Australia under a federal system of government.
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Northern
Territory
Territory
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Executive Council may refer to:
In politics:
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In politics:
- Executive Council (Canada), a constitutional organ headed by the Lieutenant-Governor
- Executive Council (Commonwealth countries), a constitutional organ which exercises executive power and advises the governor
..... Click the link for more information.
Australia
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Australia
Federal Government
Executive
..... Click the link for more information.
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Australia
Federal Government
Executive
- Queen (Queen Elizabeth II)
- Governor-General (Michael Jeffery)
- Prime Minister (John Howard)
- Cabinet
..... Click the link for more information.
John Malcolm Fraser, AC, CH (born 21 May 1930), is an Australian politician who was the 22nd Prime Minister of Australia. He came to power in the 1975 elections following the dismissal of the Whitlam Labor government, in which he played a key role and, like its immediate
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Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 December 1977. All 124 seats in the House of Representatives, and 34 of the 64 seats in the Senate, were up for election. The incumbent Liberal Party of Australia led by Malcolm Fraser with coalition partner the National Country Party
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Apartheid (meaning separate-ness in Afrikaans, cognate to English apart and -hood ) was a system of racial segregation in South Africa from 1948, and was dismantled in a series of negotiations from 1990 to 1993, culminating in democratic elections in
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Australia
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Australia
Federal Government
Executive
..... Click the link for more information.
This article is part of the series:
Politics of Australia
Federal Government
Executive
- Queen (Queen Elizabeth II)
- Governor-General (Michael Jeffery)
- Prime Minister (John Howard)
- Cabinet
..... Click the link for more information.
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