Understanding Ministers and Cabinet
Enrol
This course currently has no scheduled dates. To express interest in this course or to discuss bespoke options for yourself or your organisation, please submit an expression of interest or contact the Short Courses Team on +61 2 5114 5573 or shortcourses.cbr@unsw.edu.au
2 days
In-person
Old Parliament House Canberra
$2090.00
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Overview
This program is designed to provide learners with a new perspective on the role of Ministers and the institution of Cabinet from a practical perspective. Going beyond the simple mechanics of Cabinet processes or the creation of Cabinet Submissions, this course examines the pressures and dynamics of Cabinet, the roles of Ministers and their political staff, and how to be influential and effective when it comes to getting your policy proposals into and out of Cabinet.
Throughout the course, ‘taken for granted’ assumptions about the workings of Cabinet, and the motivations of Ministers and their staff, will be challenged. In response, participants will be provided with practical strategies and tools to enhance their policy work and understanding of the role of Ministers and Cabinet. This course is intended for those who want to understand the contemporary, real-world interaction between Cabinet, Ministers and their officials, taught by people who have been at the coalface.
Course content
This course is broken into the following core topics:
- What is Cabinet and why does it matter?
- Ministers and their offices
- ‘Public Service’ Executive and ‘Elected’ Executive
- Contemporary Cabinet
Learning outcomes
By completing this course, learners will be able to:
- Understand the political pressures on Ministers and their political staff
- Evaluate different Ministerial styles, and tailor work processes accordingly
- Analyse the interaction between Ministers, their staff and the public service
- Design approaches to enhance the relationship between Ministers and officials
- Explain Cabinet ideals, as well as critique them with real-world practicalities
- Understand the underlying dynamics of Cabinet deliberations
- Design approaches to lift the influence of your Minister and be effective in Cabinet.
Who should attend
This short course is best suited for mid-level public sector employees who are likely to be involved in the processes surrounding Cabinet procedures, and/or direct interface with Ministers and their offices. Additionally, government relations managers, and advocacy groups who seek to have greater influence in their policy and advocacy work will also strongly benefit from this course. It will also be of interest to peak body or agency executives who are interested in the decision-making processes of Executive government.
Prerequisites:
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Facilitators
Prof Brenton Prosser
Brenton Prosser is Professor of Public Policy and Leadership at UNSW Canberra. He has worked in senior leadership roles across public, private, health and social service sectors, as well as at leading Australian and UK universities. He was Chief of Staff to Senator Nick Xenophon during the period when he held the balance of power. He was also senior policy and media advisor to the parliamentary leader of the South Australian Democrats.
Brenton has also been a senior executive in the APS, Director with a peak social services body and Director (Policy) with an international management consultancy agency where he specialised in national policy evaluations and helping non-government bodies to build their evidence-base. He was co-author, with Richard Denniss, of Minority Policy: Rethinking Governance when Parliament Matters, which examined the implications of minority government on public policy theory and practice.
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.