On 17 June 2022, to advance microeconomic and productivity reforms, First Secretaries were tasked by National Cabinet with providing advice on the role of Ministerial Councils in progressing national priorities, with a sharpened focus on productivity improvements. First Secretaries’ Group (FSG) comprises of the secretaries or directors general from the Commonwealth and each state and territory First Minister’s department.
FSG’s Review of Ministerial Councils (the Review) sought to build on the 2020 Review of the former COAG councils and ministerial forums, led by Mr Peter Conran AM. The Review aimed to ensure that National Cabinet, Ministerial Councils and Commonwealth-state relations more broadly can operate under an enduring structure that promotes collaborative and results-driven decision making.
The executive summary and recommendations of the First Secretaries' report can be found below: