The basics

A Minister is a Member of Parliament (an MP or Senator) put in charge of a specific area of government, called a portfolio. Examples: Minister for Health, Minister for Defence.

Ministers are chosen by the Prime Minister from the governing party (or coalition).

What they actually do

• Run a department — each minister is responsible for a federal department of public servants who carry out government policy.
• Develop and announce policy in their portfolio area.
• Introduce bills into Parliament relating to their portfolio.
• Answer to Parliament during Question Time and Senate Estimates.
• Spend the budget allocated to their portfolio.

Ministers vs. Assistant Ministers

Cabinet Ministers sit around the Cabinet table and make the most senior decisions. Assistant Ministers help with a slice of a larger portfolio but aren't in Cabinet.

Ministerial responsibility

Under this principle, a minister is personally accountable for their department's actions. If something goes seriously wrong, they're expected to explain it to Parliament — and sometimes resign.