Ministers are expected to consult their relevant Ministerial colleagues before submitting Cabinet committee papers that deal with significant or potentially controversial matters, or that affect other Ministers’ portfolio interests.
Where there is a statutory requirement to consult another Minister or particular groups, the Minister must ensure that this has happened before the paper is submitted (see paragraphs 5.14 to 5.21 of the Cabinet Manual).
Ministers are also responsible for ensuring that consultation is undertaken in accordance with the coalition agreements entered into when the Government was formed. The circular National, ACT and New Zealand First Coalition Government: Consultation and Operating Arrangements [CO (24) 2] provides practical guidance for Ministers and departments in this area.
Note that at least five working days must be allowed for consultation between Ministers and the parties in government. More significant or complex policy changes may require more time, and should be raised with portfolio Ministers and parties early in the policy development process.
Consulting the Minister of Finance#
The Minister of Finance must be consulted on any papers with financial implications. All papers with financial implications require pre-approval from the Minister of Finance ahead of formal ministerial consultation. This includes papers that are seeking new funding (from the Between-Budget Contingency or as a pre-commitment to operating and capital allowances), but also papers with broader financial implications such as revenue impacts, fiscal impacts in the future arising from a policy decision taken now, and funding transfers being made outside of Cabinet Office circular Proposals with Financial Implications and Financial Authorities [CO (18) 2]. The Treasury has issued guidance to agencies on the requirements associated with this new process.
The Cabinet Office will not put papers on an agenda that do not have the necessary agreement of the Minister of Finance until the issue is resolved. Ministers’ offices should manage this consultation.
More information about consultation with the Minister of Finance can be found in the guidance on Financial implications in Cabinet papers.