Are all members of the government or are just the cabinet members considered a part of the Executive government?

Graphic of ‘The Executive’ shows a group of people.

The Executive government graphic.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

The Executive government graphic.

Graphic of ‘The Executive’ shows a group of people.

Parliamentary Education Office (peo.gov.au)

Description

In this graphic the Executive is represented by a group of different types of people. The Executive includes the Prime Minister and ministers and has the power to put law into action.

All members of the party or coalition of parties that have formed government are members of the government. Only the Prime Minister and ministers are part of the executive government.

The Australian Constitution gives the King executive power; in reality, it is the Prime Minister and ministers who perform the work of the executive government. No more than 30 ministers can be part of the ministry.

The Executive has the power to put the law into action.

The Prime Minister and top-level ministers – Cabinet:

  • set government policy
  • decide on bills to be put before Parliament
  • administer government departments
  • develop approaches to national problems.