The Intergovernmental Relations team leads the WA Government’s engagement with the Australian Government and with other states and territories, including providing advice to support the Premier’s participation in National Cabinet.
Supporting national meetings
Show moreThe WA Premier regularly meets with the Prime Minister and with other state and territory Premiers to discuss items of national significance – for example, family violence, housing, disability, and healthcare. The Intergovernmental Relations team supports the Premier and the Department by facilitating these meetings and providing policy advice.
National Cabinet
National Cabinet is Australia's peak intergovernmental forum. The role of National Cabinet is to initiate, develop and monitor the implementation of policy reforms that are of national significance and require cooperative action by state governments. You can find out more about National Cabinet and see past meeting outcomes at https://federation.gov.au/
Council for the Australian Federation (CAF)
The Council for the Australian Federation is a forum for state and territory governments to discuss policy issues, share best practice and lead work that is the responsibility of states and territories. CAF enhances the Australian federal system by building a space for states and territories to cooperate, share information, and work more innovatively on policy together. You can find out more about the Council for the Australian Federation at: https://www.caf.gov.au/
Other forums
In addition to the above, there are a number of other National Ministerial Councils progressing reforms. The Intergovernmental Relations team works closely with relevant agencies to ensure engagement in these forums represent whole of Government positions and are proactive in progressing WA’s priorities. Further information can be found here https://federation.gov.au/ministerial-councils.
The Canberra Strategy
Show moreWA’s geographic position and unique characteristics present opportunities and challenges due to the state’s size, diversity and distance from Australia’s capital and other jurisdictions. In this context, strong and effective engagement with the Commonwealth is important in achieving outcomes for all Western Australians, as is increasing the profile of the State’s interests on the national stage.
The Intergovernmental Relations team at DPC leads the delivery of the Canberra Strategy, which facilitates coordinated influence and advocacy in Canberra, with a focus on important priorities for the state. One element of the Canberra Strategy is the WA Government’s Canberra Hub. The Canberra Hub office is open to WA Government representatives, peak bodies, not-for-profit and advocacy organisations, local governments, trade unions and businesses. It can be used to facilitate meetings that are in the state's interest.
Negotiating major funding agreements with the Commonwealth
Show moreThe Intergovernmental Relations team supports negotiation of funding agreements, advocating for WA’s priorities and its unique circumstances in the process. You can find federal-state funding agreements at https://federalfinancialrelations.gov.au/
The Intergovernmental Relations team is the Secretariat for the Commonwealth-State Funding Agreement Steering Committee (CFASC). CFASC supports a coordinated and consistent whole-of-government position in Commonwealth funding negotiations for high-value agreements.
Connecting across the WA Government
Show moreWA Government agencies work together on diverse policies and priorities that cross over multiple portfolios. The WA DPC Intergovernmental Relations team works with each agency to make sure that cross-portfolio work is collaborative, cohesive, and supportive of whole-of-government priorities.
Treaties
Show moreSCOTWA is the Standing Committee on Treaties in WA. SCOTWA provides coordinated, whole-of-government responses to the Commonwealth on treaty matters. This includes input into Australia’s international reporting obligations with the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation; supporting the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification on free trade agreements and trade treaty negotiations; and input into other bilateral arrangements.
National inquiries
Show moreThe Western Australian Government receives numerous requests to make written submissions to national inquiries. Requests to provide Western Australian Government submissions are generally issued to the Premier, relevant Minister, direct to public sector bodies, or through general public invitation. The Western Australian Government should only submit responses in areas of high priority or strategic value to the state.
The Intergovernmental Relations team at DPC administers the Premier’s Circular on Making Written Submissions to National Inquiries. An agency proposing to prepare a written submission to a national inquiry should seek approval from the Intergovernmental Relations team by emailing national.inquiries@dpc.wa.gov.au.
Supporting the Indian Ocean Territories
Show moreThe Australian Government has responsibility for the Indian Ocean Territories of Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands. The WA DPC Indian Ocean Territories Branch supports State agencies in the negotiation of agreements for the delivery of services to the Territories. The Branch ensures that the interests of the state are protected, and services delivered are comparable to those in mainland WA.
Honouring Western Australians
Show moreThe Order of Australia recognises Australians for exceptional achievement and service. They are people who enrich the lives of those in their community, Australia, or humanity at large. Anyone can nominate an Australian citizen to receive the award. The Intergovernmental Relations team administers the Honours and Awards program for Western Australia.
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