Cabinet Committee Appointments

Cabinet committees provide the forum for more detailed consideration and discussion of issues before reference to Cabinet. Unlike Cabinet, officials may be invited to attend the meeting to assist Ministers if the committee wishes. Most Cabinet committees are standing committees of Cabinet, and meet regularly. Cabinet also may establish from time to time ad hoc Cabinet committees to undertake particular tasks or to consider proposals on a specific issue.

The structure, terms of reference, chair and membership of each Cabinet committee are decided by the Prime Minister, in consultation with the leader of the coalition partner, if there is one. The Cabinet Office issues a circular from time to time, setting out the current terms of reference and membership of Cabinet committees.

There are eight committees in all: Policy (meets weekly; chaired by Prime Minister); Economic Development (meets weekly, chaired by Michael Cullen); Social Development (meets weekly, chaired by Steve Maharey); Legislation (meets weekly, chaired by Michael Cullen); Government Expenditure and Administration (meets fortnightly, chaired by Trevor Mallard); Appointments and Honours (meets fortnightly, and for Honours matters, as required, chaired by Helen Clark); External Relations and Defence (meets fortnightly, chaired by Phil Goff); Domestic and External Security Co-ordination (meets as required, chaired by Helen Clark).

More information about Cabinet committees, as well as more details about what each committee does, and who sits on each committee, can be found at: http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/cabinet/committees/index.html

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