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The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) was established on March 12, 1971, consolidating previous departmental functions.
Answer: True
The source states that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) was established on March 12, 1971, consolidating the functions of the Prime Minister's Department and the Department of the Cabinet Office.
Before 1911, the Prime Minister utilized a dedicated Prime Minister's Department for administrative support.
Answer: False
Prior to 1911, the Prime Minister did not have a dedicated department; instead, the Prime Minister also served as the Minister for External Affairs and utilized the administrative services of the Department of External Affairs.
The Department of the Cabinet Office was created in 1968 by splitting off a section of the Treasury Department.
Answer: False
The Department of the Cabinet Office was established in March 1968 by Prime Minister John Gorton, not by splitting off a section of the Treasury Department, but rather by separating a section from the Prime Minister's Department.
William McMahon was the Prime Minister who oversaw the merger of the Prime Minister's Department and the Department of the Cabinet Office in 1971.
Answer: True
William McMahon was the Prime Minister at the time of the merger in 1971, which consolidated the Prime Minister's Department and the Department of the Cabinet Office.
Following the 2023 NSW state election, the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet was replaced by a single, unified Cabinet Office.
Answer: False
Following the 2023 NSW state election, the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet was restructured, being dissolved on July 1, 2023, and replaced by two separate departments: the Cabinet Office and a new premier's department, not a single, unified Cabinet Office.
When was the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) officially established?
Answer: March 12, 1971
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) was officially established on March 12, 1971, through the consolidation of the functions of the previously separate Prime Minister's Department and the Department of the Cabinet Office.
What was the administrative situation for the Prime Minister's office before the establishment of a dedicated department in 1911?
Answer: The Prime Minister concurrently served as Minister for External Affairs and used that department's services.
Before 1911, the Prime Minister lacked a dedicated departmental structure. The Prime Minister concurrently served as the Minister for External Affairs and relied on the Department of External Affairs for administrative support.
What was the stated reason for merging the Prime Minister's Department and the Department of the Cabinet Office in 1971?
Answer: The Prime Minister at the time believed the previous system was inefficient.
William McMahon was the Prime Minister overseeing the merger of the Prime Minister's Department and the Department of the Cabinet Office in 1971. The stated rationale for this consolidation was the perceived inefficiency of the preceding departmental structure.
What happened to the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet following the 2023 state election?
Answer: It was dissolved and replaced by two separate departments.
Following the 2023 NSW state election, the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet was restructured, being dissolved on July 1, 2023, and replaced by two distinct departments: the Cabinet Office and a new premier's department.
The PM&C's organizational structure includes the Domestic Policy Group, the National Security and International Policy Group, the Governance Group, and the Indigenous Affairs Group.
Answer: True
The organizational structure of the PM&C comprises four principal policy and program groups: the Domestic Policy Group, the National Security and International Policy Group, the Governance Group, and the Indigenous Affairs Group.
The Domestic Policy Group is primarily responsible for foreign policy and national security advice.
Answer: False
The Domestic Policy Group is responsible for coordinating policy and implementation across economic, social, and environmental areas, among others. Foreign policy and national security advice are primarily handled by the National Security and International Policy Group.
The National Security and International Policy Group provides advice on matters such as counterterrorism and intelligence coordination.
Answer: True
The National Security and International Policy Group provides advice on foreign policy, international trade, national security, cybersecurity, and crisis coordination, including counterterrorism and intelligence.
The Governance Group manages Commonwealth policy and programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Answer: False
The Indigenous Affairs Group manages Commonwealth policy and programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Governance Group provides advice on legal policy, parliamentary matters, and honours and symbols.
The Governance Group provides advice on economic policy and infrastructure development.
Answer: False
The Domestic Policy Group is primarily responsible for economic policy and infrastructure development. The Governance Group focuses on legal policy, parliamentary matters, and honours and symbols.
Which policy group within the PM&C is responsible for coordinating policy on national security, cybersecurity, and crisis coordination?
Answer: National Security and International Policy Group
The National Security and International Policy Group is responsible for coordinating policy on national security, cybersecurity, crisis coordination, foreign policy, and international trade.
What is the primary function of the Indigenous Affairs Group within the PM&C?
Answer: Managing Commonwealth policy and programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Indigenous Affairs Group manages Commonwealth policy, programs, and service delivery specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and it actively works towards promoting reconciliation.
Which group within the PM&C is responsible for coordinating the arrangements for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG)?
Answer: Domestic Policy Group
The Domestic Policy Group is responsible for coordinating the arrangements for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), alongside other policy areas such as economic, social, and environmental policy.
What function does the Governance Group perform regarding Australian honours and symbols?
Answer: It provides advice on policy related to Australian honours and symbols.
The Governance Group provides advisory services on legal policy, parliamentary matters, and government operations. Its remit also includes policy related to Australian honours and symbols and supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Which of the following is a responsibility of the National Security and International Policy Group?
Answer: Providing advice on foreign policy and international trade.
The National Security and International Policy Group provides advice on foreign policy, international trade, national security, and crisis coordination, among other related areas.
The Domestic Policy Group coordinates policy in which of the following areas?
Answer: Economic policy, social policy, and environmental policy.
The Domestic Policy Group addresses a range of policy areas, including economic policy, social policy, environmental policy, industry, and infrastructure. It also coordinates government reform efforts and supports priorities related to gender equality and women's empowerment.
The PM&C's primary role involves coordinating national security policy and managing the Prime Minister's official residences.
Answer: True
The PM&C coordinates national security policy and manages the Prime Minister's official residences, among its other key responsibilities.
The PM&C is responsible for coordinating policy related to Australian honours and symbols.
Answer: True
The PM&C is responsible for the development and administration of policy related to Australian honours and symbols.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet does not manage government ceremonial and hospitality functions.
Answer: False
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet manages government ceremonial events and hospitality, which involves the coordination of official functions and events on behalf of the government.
The PM&C promotes reconciliation solely through its management of the Prime Minister's official residences.
Answer: False
The PM&C contributes to the promotion of reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians through its management of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander policy and programs, not solely through managing official residences.
The PM&C coordinates the arrangements for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
Answer: True
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet coordinates the arrangements for the Council of Australian Governments (COAG), facilitating policy discussions and collaboration among federal, state, and territory governments.
The PM&C is responsible for formulating national policy concerning public data.
Answer: True
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet holds responsibility for formulating national policy concerning public data, establishing guidelines and strategic frameworks for its management and utilization.
What is the primary function of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C)?
Answer: Coordinating intergovernmental policy, assisting the Prime Minister with Cabinet, and supporting the Prime Minister's policy agenda.
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) serves as a central department of the Australian Government, responsible for coordinating intergovernmental and whole-of-government policy, supporting the Prime Minister in managing the Federal Cabinet, and advancing the Prime Minister's policy agenda through expert advice and program implementation.
Which of the following is NOT a key policy area coordinated by the PM&C?
Answer: Foreign investment regulation
The PM&C coordinates policy in areas such as national security, intelligence, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, and intergovernmental relations. Foreign investment regulation is typically handled by other departments, such as Treasury.
What is the PM&C's role concerning intergovernmental relations?
Answer: To coordinate communications and collaboration with state and territory governments.
The PM&C is responsible for managing intergovernmental relations, which entails facilitating communication and coordination with the governments of Australia's states and territories to ensure effective collaboration across all levels of government.
The Secretary of the PM&C holds a role equivalent to the Secretary of the Treasury in Australia.
Answer: False
The Secretary of the PM&C holds a role comparable to the Cabinet Secretary in the United Kingdom or the Clerk of the Privy Council in Canada, not the Secretary of the Treasury.
The position of Cabinet Secretary within the Australian government is held by the head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Answer: False
The head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is the Secretary of the Department. Historically, the Cabinet Secretary role has been a ministerial or political staffer position, distinct from the departmental head.
Malcolm Shepherd served as the first Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department from 1911 to 1920.
Answer: False
Malcolm Shepherd served as the first Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department from January 1, 1912, to January 27, 1921.
Steven Kennedy is the current Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, commencing in June 2022.
Answer: True
Steven Kennedy is the incumbent Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, having commenced his tenure on June 16, 2022.
The position of National Security Adviser (NSA) was established in 2013 and later disbanded in 2008.
Answer: False
The position of National Security Adviser (NSA) was established in December 2008 by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and was later disbanded in 2013 by Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Which of the following is listed as a portfolio minister for the PM&C?
Answer: Minister for Indigenous Australians
The portfolio ministers for the PM&C include the Prime Minister, the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Minister for Women, and the Minister for the Public Service, among others.
What is the official title of the head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet?
Answer: Secretary of the Department
The official title of the head of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is the Secretary of the Department. This position corresponds to the Senior Executive Service Band 4 classification within the Australian Public Service.
According to the source, what is the key distinction between the Secretary of the PM&C and the Cabinet Secretary?
Answer: The Secretary is the head of the department, whereas the Cabinet Secretary has historically been a ministerial role or political staffer.
The distinction lies in their roles: the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is the administrative head of the department. In contrast, the Cabinet Secretary has historically functioned as a ministerial role or a political staffer within the Prime Minister's Office.
Who was the first Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department?
Answer: Malcolm Shepherd
Malcolm Shepherd was the inaugural Secretary of the Prime Minister's Department, serving from January 1, 1912, until January 27, 1921.
The position of National Security Adviser (NSA) was established by which Prime Minister?
Answer: Kevin Rudd
The position of National Security Adviser (NSA) was established in December 2008 by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
The Office of National Intelligence is a portfolio agency of the PM&C responsible for coordinating intelligence policy.
Answer: True
As a portfolio agency of the PM&C, the Office of National Intelligence is involved in coordinating intelligence policy and providing strategic advice on national security matters.
The Australian Public Service Commission's role is to manage the Prime Minister's official residences.
Answer: False
The Australian Public Service Commission is responsible for setting standards and frameworks for public service employment. The management of the Prime Minister's official residences falls under the PM&C's remit.
The National Australia Day Council is an independent body with no affiliation to the PM&C portfolio.
Answer: False
The National Australia Day Council is a portfolio agency of the PM&C, responsible for promoting and coordinating national celebrations and activities related to Australia Day.
How does the PM&C's role compare to departments in other countries?
Answer: It serves a similar central coordinating function to the UK's Cabinet Office and Canada's Privy Council Office.
The PM&C functions similarly to the UK's Cabinet Office and Canada's Privy Council Office, serving as a central coordinating body for government policy and administration, though its specific structure may differ.
Which portfolio agency of the PM&C is responsible for setting standards and frameworks for public service employment?
Answer: Australian Public Service Commission
The Australian Public Service Commission is a portfolio agency of the PM&C responsible for setting standards and frameworks for public service employment, including matters of remuneration and conditions.
The PM&C maintains a presence in 60 additional locations across Australia through its Indigenous Affairs regional network.
Answer: True
In addition to its National Office in Canberra, the PM&C maintains a presence through 33 offices and an in-community presence in 60 additional locations across Australia, primarily serving its Indigenous Affairs regional network.
A 2014 review found the PM&C to be among the least culturally diverse departments in the public service.
Answer: True
A 2014 review indicated that the PM&C was among the public service's least culturally diverse departments.
In March 2014, Secretary Ian Watt reported that the department was struggling with its budget and considering program reviews.
Answer: True
In March 2014, Secretary Ian Watt communicated to staff that the department was encountering difficulties in balancing its budget and delivering its programs, necessitating consideration of staff reductions and service delivery reviews.
The Administrative Arrangements Order of May 13, 2025, did not classify the department's functions.
Answer: False
The Administrative Arrangements Order of May 13, 2025, formally delineated the department's functions into specific areas of responsibility, outlining the official scope of the PM&C's operations.
For the 2023-2024 financial year, the PM&C reported an annual budget of approximately $442.4 million.
Answer: True
For the 2023-2024 financial year, the reported annual budget for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet amounted to $442.4 million.
The image of the office headquarters was taken in 2012 and depicts the building in Barton, Australian Capital Territory.
Answer: True
The provided source material indicates that the image of the office headquarters was taken in 2012 and depicts the building located in Barton, Australian Capital Territory.
What financial situation did the PM&C face in early 2014, according to then Secretary Ian Watt?
Answer: Difficulty balancing its budget and delivering programs.
In March 2014, Secretary Ian Watt communicated to staff that the department was encountering difficulties in balancing its budget and delivering its programs, leading to considerations of staff cuts and service delivery reviews.
What was the reported annual budget for the PM&C for the 2023-2024 financial year?
Answer: 442.4 million
For the 2023-2024 financial year, the reported annual budget for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet amounted to $442.4 million.
How many employees did the PM&C report for the 2023-2024 period?
Answer: 1,373
In the 2023-2024 fiscal period, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet reported a total of 1,373 employees.
What is the official website address for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet?
Answer: pmc.gov.au
The official website for the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet is pmc.gov.au, providing comprehensive information on its functions and activities.