Page 171 - Planning Group Induction Pack_Neat

Cabinet Services Overview

Linked to: Cabinet in Confidence Document Management Policy

ABOUT CABINET SERVICES

Cabinet Services (CS) provides specialist advice and support services to Minister’s Offices, the Secretary, senior
executives, and departmental officers on Cabinet and Cabinet Committee matters.

WHAT WE DO

In the provision of support to the Ministers and Secretary, CS undertakes the following activities:
 Manages Cabinet, Cabinet Committee and Legislation submissions for the department.

 Provides the Secretariat function for the Environment and Primary Industries Committee (EPIC).

 Liaise with the Cabinet Secretariat, Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) and other departments on
Cabinet and Cabinet Committee issues.

 Requests briefings on other departments’ Cabinet and Cabinet Committee submissions where relevant.
 Requests the preparation of coordination comments for other departments’ draft Cabinet submissions.
 Provides quality assurance reviews on all Cabinet and Cabinet committee submissions, coordination
comments and briefings (prior to sign off).

 Ensures that protocols and procedures (set by DPC) for handling CIC material are communicated and
upheld.

 Provides advice and manages the return of Cabinet in Confidence (CIC) material to DPC during the
caretaker period prior the State Election.

CLASSIFYING DOCUMENTS AS CABINET IN CONFIDENCE

A document is classified as CIC if it:
 Has been prepared for consideration by Cabinet or a Cabinet Committee.

 Discloses a deliberation or a decision by Cabinet or a Cabinet Committee.
 Provides advice on Cabinet or Cabinet Committee submissions or meetings.

CABINET IN CONFIDENCE AND MiBS

The MiBS database has been modified to include a new briefing type called ‘Cabinet‐in‐Confidence’ to
accommodate incoming Cabinet‐related correspondence and departmental briefings that divulge Cabinet and
Cabinet Committee information. The ‘Totally Restricted Access’ level is to be applied and the security group
nominated on a ‘strictly need to know’ basis.
The MiBS database is not to be used for the department’s Cabinet and Cabinet Committee submissions and
briefing notes prepared for the Ministers for Cabinet or Cabinet Committee meetings. CS manages these
documents offline on a shared drive with restricted access. This practice will continue until an electronic
document management system is established for the department.

CABINET IN CONFIDENCE DOCUMENTS AND SECURITY

Access to CIC documents is based on the “need to know” principle. There are strict security requirements
around CIC material which must be adhered to. These include:
 All CIC documents must be clearly classified and labelled.
 All CIC material must be hand delivered.