The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) has released a Memorandum setting out the procedures and approval process for Agencies lodging submissions and/or responding to inquiries.
M2021-08 NSW Government Submissions and Responses to Inquiries replaces its 2017 equivalent with DPC saying the new Memo provided guidance to Agencies and Ministers on whether a submission should be made and the pathway for review and approval.
In the Memo, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Agencies received many requests to contribute submissions to inquiries or reviews, or to respond to reports arising from them.
“It is important there is a systematic approach to assessing the benefit of any submission, with coordination across Government,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“The Government may respond to requests in different ways, depending on the nature of the inquiry,” she said.
“In some cases, there may be little or no value in the preparation of a submission; in other cases, a submission offers an important opportunity to influence policies or strategies in areas of significance to NSW via an evidence-based submission.”
The memo says there were required steps for Agencies to follow, including that they first confirm their Minister supports a submission being made and inform the DPC immediately.
It says that DPC would then seek approval from the Premier with the relevant Agency responsible for drafting the submission which must be provided to DPC for review and clearance by the Premier.
“Clearance processes may vary, depending on the nature of the submission,” the Memo says.
It said DPC had developed a table to provide guidance on the clearance process for different scenarios.
Ms Berejiklian said the requirements in the Memorandum applied to all NSW Government Agencies subject to Ministerial direction and control.
DPC’s two-page guidance table can be accessed at this PS News link and the online Memorandum at this link.
