DEPARTMENT OF THE PRIME MINISTER & CABINET

Policy Issues, Amendments & Modernisation Framework

(Modelled on the Infrastructure Policy Page — adapted for PM&C)

 

🔵 1. CURRENT SYSTEM ISSUES

Key challenges within the PM&C portfolio

A. Fragmented Whole‑of‑Government Coordination

  • Inconsistent cross‑portfolio alignment

  • Slow Cabinet coordination processes

  • Limited real‑time visibility of national outcomes

  • Manual, outdated reporting systems

B. Weak National Strategic Planning

  • No unified national strategy spine

  • Limited long‑term planning capability

  • Reactive rather than proactive policy cycles

C. Limited Transparency & Public Trust

  • Complex Cabinet processes

  • Limited public visibility of decisions

  • Inconsistent integrity frameworks across portfolios

D. Treaty, First Nations & Intergovernmental Complexity

  • Fragmented treaty architecture

  • Overlap between PM&C, NIAA, AGD and states

  • No unified national First Nations governance model

E. Outdated Digital & Data Systems

  • Manual Cabinet briefings

  • No national outcomes dashboard

  • Limited predictive modelling capability

REQUIRED POLICY AMENDMENTS

Legislative and policy changes needed to modernise PM&C

A. Cabinet Modernisation Amendments

  • Standardised Cabinet submission formats

  • Digital Cabinet workflow system

  • Real‑time cross‑portfolio impact analysis

B. National Strategy & Planning Amendments

  • Establish a National Strategic Planning Framework

  • Mandate long‑term planning cycles

  • Require cross‑portfolio alignment for all major reforms

C. Integrity & Transparency Amendments

  • Strengthen ministerial standards

  • National transparency reporting

  • Public release of non‑sensitive Cabinet outcomes

D. Treaty & First Nations Governance Amendments

  • National Treaty Framework Act

  • Integration with the National First Nations Leadership Chamber

  • Clear roles for PM&C, NIAA, AGD and states

E. Digital Government Amendments

  • National Data & Intelligence Act

  • Mandated real‑time outcomes dashboards

  • AI‑enabled modelling for all major decisions

National Outcomes & Intelligence Policy

  • Real‑time national dashboard

  • Predictive modelling for Cabinet

  • Cross‑portfolio outcomes tracking

Whole‑of‑Government Reform Policy

  • Unified reform architecture

  • Standardised policy templates

  • National coordination protocols

Treaty & First Nations Partnership Policy

  • Shared decision‑making model

  • Regional governance integration

  • Cultural authority pathways

National Integrity & Transparency Policy

  • Open government standards

  • Public reporting of progress

  • Independent oversight mechanisms

Digital Cabinet & Data Policy

  • Digital Cabinet platform

  • Secure national data spine

  • Automated briefing and analysis tools

CROSS‑PORTFOLIO INTEGRATION

How PM&C connects across government

  • AGD: Legal frameworks, integrity, rights

  • Treasury: Budgeting, economic modelling

  • NIAA: First Nations governance

  • DSS: Social outcomes

  • Infrastructure: National planning & regions

  • CEEW: Climate, energy, water

  • Home Affairs: Security & resilience

  • Health: National wellbeing

  • Education & Employment: Workforce & skills

PM&C becomes the national coordination engine.

FUTURE MODERNISATION MODEL

What PM&C looks like after reform

A. A Unified National Coordination System

  • Cabinet, portfolios, states and First Nations aligned

  • Real‑time decision support

  • Clear national priorities

B. A Transparent, Trusted Government

  • Public dashboards

  • Open decision‑making

  • Strong integrity frameworks

C. A Treaty‑Aligned National Governance Model

  • National First Nations Leadership Chamber

  • Regional governance hubs

  • Shared decision‑making

D. A Digital, Data‑Driven PM&C

  • AI‑enabled Cabinet

  • Predictive modelling

  • Automated reporting

  • National data spine

 

Cabinet Office

AMEND

  • Update Cabinet Handbook for digital workflows

  • Strengthen cross‑portfolio impact requirements

  • Modernise Cabinet submission standards

REMOVE

  • Manual briefing processes

  • Redundant interdepartmental committees

  • Outdated reporting cycles

CREATE

  • Digital Cabinet Platform

  • Real‑time Cabinet impact modelling

  • National Cabinet Transparency Framework

Office of the Prime Minister

AMEND

  • Strengthen ministerial standards

  • Update national priority‑setting processes

  • Improve coordination protocols with portfolios

REMOVE

  • Legacy communication channels

  • Duplicated advisory structures

  • Manual priority‑tracking systems

CREATE

  • National Priority Dashboard

  • Unified PM‑to‑Portfolio coordination model

  • Modern PM Advisory Framework

National Strategy & Reform Unit

AMEND

  • National planning cycles

  • Cross‑portfolio alignment rules

  • Strategic forecasting requirements

REMOVE

  • Fragmented long‑term planning

  • Siloed reform frameworks

  • Outdated policy templates

CREATE

  • National Strategic Planning Framework

  • Whole‑of‑Government Reform Architecture

  • National 10‑Year Outcomes Roadmap

Treaty & First Nations Governance (PM&C + NIAA alignment)

AMEND

  • Intergovernmental treaty protocols

  • First Nations governance pathways

  • Cultural safety requirements

REMOVE

  • Overlapping PM&C/NIAA/AGD treaty roles

  • Legacy consultation models

  • Fragmented regional governance

CREATE

  • National Treaty Framework Act

  • Shared‑Decision Governance Model

  • Integration with First Nations Leadership Chamber

Integrity, Transparency & Public Sector Standards

AMEND

  • Ministerial Standards

  • Public reporting obligations

  • Integrity oversight mechanisms

REMOVE

  • Inconsistent transparency rules

  • Manual compliance processes

  • Redundant integrity committees

CREATE

  • National Integrity & Transparency Policy

  • Public Outcomes Reporting System

  • Independent Integrity Oversight Body

Intergovernmental Relations & Federal Coordination

AMEND

  • Intergovernmental Relations Framework

  • National partnership agreements

  • Federal‑state coordination protocols

REMOVE

  • Duplicated federal/state committees

  • Outdated COAG‑era structures

  • Manual negotiation processes

CREATE

  • Unified Intergovernmental Coordination Hub

  • Digital Intergovernmental Agreements System

  • National Shared‑Outcomes Framework

Digital Government, Data & Intelligence Unit

AMEND

  • National data‑sharing rules

  • Cyber and privacy standards

  • Whole‑of‑government analytics protocols

REMOVE

  • Legacy data silos

  • Manual reporting systems

  • Outdated ICT governance

CREATE

  • National Data Spine

  • Real‑time Outcomes Dashboard

  • AI‑Enabled Cabinet Intelligence System

Office for Women

AMEND

  • Gender equality reporting

  • Cross‑portfolio gender impact assessments

  • National safety frameworks

REMOVE

  • Fragmented program oversight

  • Outdated gender policy templates

  • Manual data collection

CREATE

  • National Gender Outcomes Dashboard

  • Modernised Gender Equality Framework

  • Integrated Women’s Safety System

 

Office for Men

AMEND

  • National fatherhood and wellbeing policies

  • Family law coordination protocols

  • Men’s mental health pathways

REMOVE

  • Gaps in support for single fathers

  • Fragmented men’s wellbeing programs

  • Outdated service models

CREATE

  • National Fatherhood Program

  • Single‑Father Support Network

  • Men’s Wellbeing & Prevention Framework

 

Office for Youth

AMEND

  • Youth engagement frameworks

  • Cross‑portfolio youth pathways

  • National youth wellbeing standards

REMOVE

  • Siloed youth programs

  • Outdated youth advisory structures

  • Manual youth data reporting

CREATE

  • National Youth Outcomes Framework

  • Youth Leadership & Skills Pathways

  • Digital Youth Engagement Hub

  •  

 

NEW POLICIES TO INTRODUCE

Future‑focused PM&C policy settings

A. National Outcomes & Intelligence Policy

  • Real‑time national dashboard

  • Predictive modelling for Cabinet

  • Cross‑portfolio outcomes tracking

B. Whole‑of‑Government Reform Policy

  • Unified reform architecture

  • Standardised policy templates

  • National coordination protocols

C. Treaty & First Nations Partnership Policy

  • Shared decision‑making model

  • Regional governance integration

  • Cultural authority pathways

D. National Integrity & Transparency Policy

  • Open government standards

  • Public reporting of progress

  • Independent oversight mechanisms

E. Digital Cabinet & Data Policy

  • Digital Cabinet platform

  • Secure national data spine

  • Automated briefing and analysis tools

 

🔵 AMEND

Modernise and strengthen existing laws, frameworks, and Cabinet processes

  • Amend the Cabinet Handbook to mandate digital workflows, real‑time impact analysis, and cross‑portfolio alignment.

  • Amend the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act to include national outcomes dashboards and predictive modelling requirements.

  • Amend the Intergovernmental Relations Framework to integrate treaty processes and First Nations shared‑decision structures.

  • Amend the Family Law, Social Services, and Justice coordination protocols to require PM&C oversight for whole‑of‑government reforms.

  • Amend the Ministerial Standards to strengthen transparency, integrity, and public reporting obligations.

  • Amend the National Data Sharing Arrangements to enable secure, whole‑of‑government data integration.

🟡 REMOVE

Eliminate outdated, duplicated, or inefficient systems and processes

  • Remove manual Cabinet briefing processes and replace with digital Cabinet systems.

  • Remove fragmented cross‑portfolio coordination structures that duplicate effort across PM&C, Treasury, AGD, DSS, NIAA and others.

  • Remove outdated reporting cycles that rely on quarterly or annual updates instead of real‑time dashboards.

  • Remove legacy interdepartmental committees that no longer align with the national outcomes model.

  • Remove siloed First Nations governance pathways that separate PM&C, NIAA, AGD and state systems.

  • Remove redundant policy templates and replace with unified national templates.

🟩 CREATE

Build new laws, systems, and national frameworks for a modern PM&C

  • Create a National Strategic Planning Framework Act to mandate long‑term planning cycles and cross‑portfolio alignment.

  • Create a Digital Cabinet & National Intelligence Act to establish a secure national data spine, predictive modelling, and real‑time decision support.

  • Create a National Treaty Framework Act to unify treaty architecture across PM&C, NIAA, AGD and states.

  • Create a National Outcomes Dashboard covering all portfolios with real‑time indicators.

  • Create a Whole‑of‑Government Reform Architecture with standardised templates, processes, and coordination rules.

  • Create a Shared‑Decision Governance Model integrating the National First Nations Leadership Chamber into PM&C processes.

  • Create a National Transparency & Integrity Policy requiring public reporting of progress, Cabinet‑level commitments, and reform milestones.

NATIONAL FIRST NATIONS LEADERSHIP CHAMBER

Brand‑coloured, public‑facing simplified version — BULLET POINTS

 

🔵 NATIONAL FIRST NATIONS CHAMBER (AU Navy)

  • Federally elected chamber

  • Represents every First Nation

  • Sits alongside Parliament

  • Makes decisions on all First Nations matters

  • Approves laws affecting First Nations people

  • Leads treaty, culture, land, and heritage decisions

  • Oversees First Nations programs and funding

  • Ensures community‑led governance

 

🟩 REGIONAL FIRST NATIONS GOVERNANCE HUBS (AU Teal)

  • Elected regional leaders

  • Cultural deputies

  • Youth representatives

  • Lead regional treaty work

  • Provide cultural authority

  • Oversee regional services and outcomes

  • Connect local Nations to the national chamber

 

🟫 LOCAL NATION COUNCILS & COMMUNITY BODIES (Charcoal + Sand)

  • Nation‑level decision‑making

  • Clan and language group representation

  • Elders’ cultural authority

  • Community‑controlled organisations

  • Local program design

  • Local priorities and planning

 

🟡 COMMUNITY INPUT & ON‑COUNTRY ENGAGEMENT (AU Gold)

  • On‑Country consultations

  • Mobile polling

  • Digital voting

  • Community assemblies

  • Elders’ forums

  • Youth forums

  • Community‑driven decision‑making

 

🌏 HOW IT CONNECTS TO PARLIAMENT

  • Three chambers work together

  • House of Representatives

  • Senate

  • National First Nations Chamber

  • All First Nations matters require agreement from all three

  • Ensures shared decision‑making

  • Moves beyond symbolic consultation