How Cabinet Works
This program will provide learners with an understanding of the Westminster system of cabinet government in the United Kingdom and its translation to the Australian colonies and the Australian Federation after 1901.
Enrol
1 day
On-campus
Canberra
$950.00
Accelerate your career, learn new skills, and expand your knowledge.
First in Australia for research excellence and impact.
Top 50 in the world. 2020 QS World University Rankings.
Overview
This course is broken into the following core topics: :
- The British-Australian system of ‘responsible’ government is in contrast with the American system of cabinet government.
- The development of the Australian cabinet system and its committees in the period from the Second World War to the present.
- A practical guide to the workings of cabinet.
Course content
- Gain an understanding of the British-Australian system of ‘responsible’ government in contrast to the American system of cabinet government.
- Attain an understanding of the development of the Australian cabinet system and its committees in the period from the Second World War to the present.
- Receive a practical guide to the workings of cabinet in the most recent year for which records are available, 2002.
- The course will examine select submissions from ministers, coordination comments from interested departments and the process by which collective decisions of cabinet are reached. The application of the principles derived in this way to the contemporary workings of cabinet will be illustrated through select examples.
Learning outcomes
Skills/competencies/knowledge that would be gained through this course:
- Understand the Westminster system of cabinet government and how it was translated to the Australian colonies and the Commonwealth of Australia after 1901.
- Understand the development of the Australian cabinet and its committees in the period from the Second World War to the present.
- Analyse the working of the Australian cabinet in 2002 by reference to representative submissions from ministers and the process by which decisions were reached.
Who should attend
This course is tailored for those who seek to obtain a deeper understanding of the working of the cabinet system in Australia. This includes parliamentary staff, members of the APS and Defence, and journalists.
Prerequisites
None
Facilitator
Dr David Lee
David Lee is an Associate Professor who joined the University of New South Wales in 2019 and before that was based in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for twenty-four years. He has published widely on Australian history including Australia during the Cold War. His most recent books are Australia and the World: International Relations and Global Events since Federation (Melbourne: Circa, 2022) and John Curtin (Redland Bay: Connor Court, 2022).
He is also author of The Second Rush: Mining and the Transformation of Australia (Redland Bay: Connor Court, 2016) and Stanley Melbourne Bruce: Australian Internationalist (London and New York: Bloomsbury, 2010). He teaches courses on World Economic History and the Cold War, is Chair of the Commonwealth Working Party of the Australian Dictionary of Biography and has been appointed National Archives of Australia, Cabinet historian, 2022-23.
Cancellation policy
Courses will be held subject to sufficient registrations. UNSW Canberra reserves the right to cancel a course up to five working days prior to commencement of the course. If a course is cancelled, you will have the opportunity to transfer your registration or be issued a full refund. If registrant cancels within 10 days of course commencement, a 50% registration fee will apply. UNSW Canberra is a registered ACT provider under ESOS Act 2000-CRICOS provider Code 00098G.