Summary heading
Series descriptive note
Function and purpose
This series consists of copies of Cabinet submissions, memoranda and minutes which record Cabinet’s decisions, relating to Prime Minister Howard’s terms in office as the 25th Prime Minister of Australia. The original submissions, memoranda and decisions are recorded on Cabinet file series, A14371.
Cabinet is the Australian Government’s highest decision making body. It’s decisions are given legal effect through formal ratification by the Executive Council. Discussion at Cabinet meetings is based on a formal business agenda of which submissions, memoranda and decisions, each dealing with a specific item, are the most important records. Broadly, the issues covered by Cabinet in A14370 and the related Cabinet file series A14371, include industrial relations and tax reforms, in particular introduction of a broad based consumption tax on goods and services; international relations and national security. Cabinet’s work is facilitated by a number of committees tasked with consideration of particular issues or matters of concern. By addressing areas of government policy or importance, these committees play an important role in the effectiveness of the Cabinet system, making decisions and reporting back to Cabinet. The number and nature of matters addressed by Cabinet committees reflect contemporary matters of concern to government and change over time.
Submissions or briefing papers are prepared specifically for Cabinet and circulated prior to Cabinet meetings by the Minister with administrative responsibility for the matter. Cabinet memoranda which include recommendations, allow for presentation of factual information or additional information specifically requested by Cabinet. Cabinet decisions are the formal record of decisions made by Cabinet on a particular issue. Decisions can be attached to submissions or memoranda, or Cabinet can make and record decisions which are not supported by either. These are referred to as ‘decisions without submission’. It is also the case that not all submissions and memoranda have a recorded decision.
Related legislation
Using the series
On transfer to the National Archives, the submissions, memoranda and decisions, are repackaged into acid free folders. Each folder or item contains all the documents relating to the annual single control number allocated by the Cabinet Office. This means that any single folder may contain a copy of a submission or a memorandum along with any attachments, and the minute papers recording any related decision or decisions. In the case of a decision without submission, the folder will only contain a copy of the minutes of the decision or decisions.
The repackaged records are described at item level on the National Archives database RecordSearch, and are searchable by number or word (name or topic). Each item is described by a control symbol followed by a description of the subject of the submission, memorandum or decision as relevant. For example
Item control symbol : JH1996/397
Item description: ‘Cabinet Submission JH96/0397 – 1996 – 1997 Budget – Defence portfolio major investment proposals – Decision JH96/0379/CAB’
Item control symbol : JH1996/409
Item description: ‘Cabinet Memorandum JH96/0409 – Industry Commission (IC) Report on Tourism Accommodation and Training – Decision JH96/0409/CAB’
Item control symbol: JH1997/291
Item description : ‘Cabinet Submission JH97/0291 – Options for the Youth Allowance package – No Decision’
Item control symbol : JH1996/404
Item description : ‘Cabinet Decision JH96/0404/AH – Community Medical Scholarships – Without Submission’
Language of material
Physical characteristics
System of arrangement and control
The submissions, memoranda and decisions in A14370 are controlled in an annual single number order allocated by the Cabinet Office.
Cabinet submissions and memoranda usually, but not always, have at least one decision recording the outcome of Cabinet deliberations in relation to the issue covered. At the same time there are many decisions which do not have a related submission or memorandum , but nevertheless constitute a formal record of Cabinet’s discussion, views or approach on a specific matter or issue. As for submissions and memoranda, every Cabinet decision without submission or memorandum is given a unique item control number within the annual single number system by the Cabinet Office and entered by the National Archives as a separate item on RecordSearch.
Cabinet decisions made in relation to a submission or memorandum are identified first by reference to the annual single number control symbol allocated to the submission or memorandum by the Cabinet Office and then by reference to the related administrative source or originator ie Cabinet or a specific Cabinet committee or matter. For example
Item control symbol : JH1997/293
Item description : ‘Cabinet Memorandum JH97/0293 – Draft Parliamentary programme for week 4 (2 to 5 June 1997) and variations to the 1997 Winter legislation programme – Decision JH97/0293/PB (“PB” standing for Parliamentary Business)
If Cabinet makes more than one decision in relation to a submission or memorandum, the Cabinet Office has added a consecutive single number to the decision’s control symbol. This generally indicates the order in which the decisions have been taken. For example
Item control symbol : JH1997/281
Item description : ‘Cabinet Submission JH97/0281 – New governance arrangements for government business enterprises – Decisions JH97/0281/CAB and JH97/0281/CAB/2 ’ (“CAB” standing for Cabinet)
However in some instances the National Archives has added a third consecutive number to the original control symbol allocated by the Cabinet Office. This modification to the original allocated control symbol allows for the separate identification and retrieval of a decision without submission which covers the same topic or subject as a submission or memorandum which has the same control symbol. For example
Item control symbol : JH1996/84/1
Item description : Cabinet Submission JH96/0084 – Airport regulatory and sale framework – Decision JH96/0084/CAB
And
Item control symbol: JH1996/84/2
Item description: Cabinet Decision JH96/0084/CAB/2 – Airport regulatory and sale framework – Without Submission
Cabinet decisions without submission are also controlled by the annual single number control symbol allocated by the Cabinet Office. For example
Item control symbol : JH1996/414
Item description : ‘Cabinet Decision JH96/0414/CAB – The employment link in superannuation – Without Submission’.
Relationships with other records
Finding aids
Access conditions
Series history
Provenance
The copies of submissions, memoranda and decisions are being transferred progressively from the Cabinet Office, the recording agency, to the National Archives. The first transfer of 11.25 m of records from series A14370 occurred in 2015, 6.84m was transferred in 2018, 6.66 transferred in 2019, with the latest transfer occurring in 2021 of 6.03 m.
Immediate source of acquisition
Custodial history
Quantity in agency custody
Disposal history
Publication note
Additional information
End notes
Sources