What is a minister and what do they do?

Thanks for your question.

Ministers are members of the Australian Government who have been given an area of responsibility for how Australia is run. This area of responsibility is known as a portfolio. Examples of ministerial portfolios include:

• health
• environment
• transport
• defence
• foreign affairs
• trade
• immigration.

Most ministers are in charge of a government department or assist in running a department, such as the Department of Defence, Department of Health or Treasury. Ministers work with their department, community organisations and professional associations to prepare new laws and changes to existing laws which need updating or improving.

When a minister introduces a bill – proposed law – into the Australian Parliament, they must explain why the law is necessary and how it will solve a particular problem. If the bill becomes a law, the minister and their department are responsible for putting the law into action.