Working with ministers

Supporting Ministers in your role 

Depending on your role in the NSW Government sector, you may need to support a Minister in their parliamentary duties. This can include: 

• preparing briefing notes and folder notes for question time
• drafting responses to questions on notice
• supporting your Minister with the passage of bills through Parliament
• preparing notes for budget estimates inquiries. 

It is critical that the advice you provide is accurate. Ministers must not mislead Parliament. 

Once a Minister or Cabinet makes a lawful decision, your agency must implement it diligently and professionally. 

Secretaries of departments and heads of public service agencies who are exercising their employer functions are not under the direction or control of a Minister. 

Advising Ministers’ offices 

When you provide advice to a Minister’s office, outline the pros and cons of each option and include a clear recommendation. 

Your advice should be: 

Working with Departmental Liaison Officers (DLOs)

Departmental Liaison Officers (DLOs) are key to building good relationships with Ministers’ offices.

• Select and brief DLOs carefully.
• Rotate DLOs regularly.
• Keep regular contact with DLOs and keep them updated.

Read the Premier’s Department guidance on assigning DLOs to Ministers’ offices.

Support for employees working with Ministers’ offices

Senior managers must ensure staff have the skills and support to work effectively with ministerial staff.

• You should receive orientation, training and feedback so you understand your role and boundaries.
• Most training is on the job. You should be briefed on protocols for working with ministerial staff and common scenarios.
• Experienced staff should share knowledge and mentor new employees.
• If you act as an adviser in Parliament, you should observe proceedings with a colleague first.

Departments and agencies should clarify protocols for handling requests and remind staff to keep good records. All requests from ministerial staff should be in writing or confirmed in a return email.

Documenting Ministers’ expectations

Your department or agency should document your Minister’s expectations to reduce confusion and improve the quality of advice. This can include:

• who can sign off on advice and when senior approval is required
• key contacts and responsibilities, including the DLO
• the process for requests, briefings or advice, including timing, channels and sign-offs
• your Minister’s preferred style for briefings and correspondence
• handling and sign-off rules for correspondence
• key dates, such as regular meetings with the Minister’s office
• arrangements for managing relationships with other Ministers who share responsibilities
• a copy of the Ethical Framework for the NSW Government Sector. 

Caretaker period restrictions

During elections, the caretaker period starts when the Legislative Assembly is dissolved and continues until either:

• the current Government is returned, or
• a new Premier is commissioned to form Government.

During the caretaker period:

• Ministers’ offices should not ask for policy advice.
• Agencies may still provide factual information and material needed for day-to-day business.
• The Government must avoid new major decisions, initiatives, appointments or contracts (unless they’re routine business).

Managers must ensure all employees understand and follow caretaker conventions.

Read more about elections and caretaker conventions.