Chief Minister Michael Gunner welcomes death of COAG as National Cabinet set to stay
CHIEF Minister Michael Gunner has bid good riddance to the Council of Australian Governments that was ‘all sizzle, no steak’, as it’s replaced by National Cabinet permanently
Northern Territory
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THE cumbersome long running get-together of government leaders has been scrapped in favour of National Cabinet, with Chief Minister Michael Gunner bidding good riddance to the old system that was “all sizzle, no steak”.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison yesterday announced he and state and territory leaders had agreed to scrap the Council of Australian Governments and replace it with monthly National Cabinet meetings.
National Cabinet was established in March to give political leaders agility during the coronavirus pandemic response. COAG typically meets twice a year, involves layers of bureaucrats and has drawn criticism for being cumbersome and ineffective.
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The National Cabinet will continue to meet during the pandemic on a fortnightly basis before moving to monthly meetings in the post-virus period. Most of the meetings will be held via videoconference while face-to-face meetings will occur twice a year.
Mr Morrison said the National Cabinet’s single focus would be job creation.
“Having the groups operate like a fair-dinkum cabinet has been really important,” he said.
The new meetings will operate under cabinet rules, which includes increased security of documents and discussions.
Mr Gunner said he would not miss COAG “at all”, saying National Cabinet gave the NT a seat at the table for big national decisions and in return would get a feel for “Territory common sense”. “(COAG) was all sizzle, no steak. National Cabinet is meaty – we get in, make decisions, and get out. We get stuff done,” he said.
A Council of Federal Financial Relations, essentially a national cabinet for treasurers, has also been created.
They will report to National Cabinet and take responsibility for all funding agreements including National Partnership Agreements.
Once a year, National Cabinet, CFFR and the Australian Local Government Association will meet in person as the “National Federation Reform Council”.
Originally published as Chief Minister Michael Gunner welcomes death of COAG as National Cabinet set to stay