Strategic relations

The Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet provides leadership, coordination and guidance in pursuing the Northern Territory’s interests and negotiating the best possible outcomes for the Northern Territory in intergovernmental forums.

In particular, we provide strategic advice and support to the Chief Minister and Cabinet on the Northern Territory’s relations with the Commonwealth and other state and territory governments, including for meetings of National Cabinet, the National Federation Reform Council and the Council for the Australian Federation.

National Cabinet considers policy reforms that are of national significance with a focus on Australia’s COVID-19 response, economic recovery and job creation. The National Cabinet stands up National Cabinet Reform Committees (NCRCs) to progress priority issues such as job creation. The Council on Federal Financial Relations (CFFR) reports to the National Cabinet under the Australian Federal Relations Architecture. The priorities for the NCRCs and CFFR are reviewed and published regularly.

National Cabinet is constituted as a Cabinet Office Policy Committee, as provided for in the ‘Australian Government Cabinet Handbook (14th Edition)'. The 14th edition of the Cabinet Handbook also contains the policies and procedures, which enable the National Cabinet to make decisions in the best interest of all Australians.

Members of National Cabinet include the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers. In addition to National Cabinet, membership of the National Federation Reform Council includes Treasurers (CFFR) and the President of the Australian Local Government Association. The National Federation Reform Council meets annually.

The department leads the development of advice to support the Chief Minister’s participation in National Cabinet meetings and other intergovernmental forums and coordinates actions on outcomes, as appropriate.

The department collaborates and coordinates across the Northern Territory Government, and liaises with other jurisdictions and key stakeholders on a range of policy, funding and reform matters and negotiations.