Leaders in unprecedented 'national cabinet' to tackle coronavirus

A crisis cabinet has been formed between the nation's top political leaders to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic across the country in an emergency decision not seen since World War II.

The unprecedented move means Prime Minister Scott Morrison will meet weekly with state premiers and territory first ministers to decide on a united approach to managing the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison will lead a national cabinet of state premiers and territory first ministers to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

The bipartisan group was formed after a meeting of the Council of Australian Governments on Friday and will be involved in regular secure phone hook-ups. The first meeting of the new "national cabinet" will be on Sunday to discuss implementing the national advice to end gatherings of 500 or more people.

While the COAG typically meets two to four times a year, the new group will convene on a weekly basis to discuss how best to tackle the outbreak.

"Each and every state and territory represented here is completely sovereign and autonomous in the decisions they make, but what we have agreed to do together is to work together and be unified and as consistent and coordinated as possible in our national response," Mr Morrison said on Friday afternoon.

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee will advise the group on health responses, which could involve sharing of resources. The AHPPC is chaired by Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy and includes state and territory chief health officers.

"There are many others who will be advising through to the group on other matters I've referred to, but that's the medical advice, the best medical advice, which will be the basis of the protocols, guidelines and decisions which will be made by premiers, chief ministers and of course myself as Prime Minister together with our respective cabinets," Mr Morrison said.

A War Cabinet was created in 1939 created under the Menzies Government with members of the federal opposition included, however it did not include state and territory leaders. This is the first time a "national cabinet" has been formed with non-federal MPs.

University of Sydney academic and constitutional lawyer Anne Twomey said there would not be any legal implications of the new arrangement as it would not give any additional powers to different arms of government.

The Commonwealth and the Premiers discuss matters at conferences, COAG meetings and treaties councils, among other meetings.

"It is just a cooperative body that has been re-badged for the occasion, presumably as an indicator of collective leadership and the gravity of the situation," she said.