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Timing for final paper

Departments are required to submit their final paper, cleared by their Minister, at least two full days and a weekend before the Committee meeting.

It is essential that Committee papers are circulated with sufficient time for departments to consider them properly before Ministers meet. Once departments receive the papers from their Cabinet Documents Officer (CDO), they need to:

• identify the correct policy officials;
• brief their Ministers;
• alert the Committee secretaries of issues which their Ministers are likely to raise; and
• allow Ministers the opportunity to write in on issues if they are unable to attend.

The Chair may postpone a meeting on the advice of the Committee Secretariat if:

• final receipt of the paper does not allow sufficient time for other Ministers to consider it; or
• the paper fails to clearly bring out the main purpose and options for Ministers to consider.

Alternatively, if the paper fails to follow the guidelines or formatting advice provided, the Committee Secretariat may refuse the paper, or elect to attach a cover sheet to the paper, highlighting the key issues for Ministerial consideration.

The Secretariat is responsible for circulating Committee papers. For more information on how this is done and on accessing Committee papers, please read the section on Cabcom, Cabinet Documents Officers and the Distribution of Committee Papers.