The Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is to be dissolved on 1 July as the new Government looks to address the challenges facing the State.
Announced by Premier Chris Minns, DPC is to be replaced by a reinstated Cabinet Office and a new separate Premier’s Department – both of which are to report individually direct to the Premier.
Mr Minns said further changes to the structure of the public service were also being considered for implementation from 1 July, including the end of the cluster model.
“Government will reinstate The Cabinet Office to restore robust Cabinet practice and decisions informed by expert policy and legal advice,” Mr Minns said.
“The Cabinet Office will be made up of experts in legal, policy and governance, and support my Ministers and I to meet community expectations and deliver for the people of NSW,” he said.
“The Premier’s Department will continue to manage the Premier’s statutory responsibilities and lead the public service.”
Mr Minns said the Cabinet Office would be responsible for: Providing expert and independent policy advice to the Premier and Cabinet; Advice and assistance on all matters relating to National Cabinet and intergovernmental affairs; Cabinet systems, practice and secretariat services; Support for the Government’s legislative and parliamentary agenda; Advice and support on administrative arrangements orders, sector governance, and machinery of government changes; Assisting the Premier with the administration of the NSW Ministerial Code of Conduct; and Providing expert legal and probity advice.
He said the Cabinet Office and the Premier’s Department would be funded from within existing resources, including employee-related expenses.
Peter Duncan has been appointed Acting Secretary of DPC to lead the transition and establishment of the new entities over the next three months.
