The Premier has asked me to write to you in regard to the attendance of Ministers at Ministerial Councils and Conferences.

As you would be aware, Heads of Government agreed at the recent Special Premiers' Conference in Brisbane that the reviews of functional areas to eliminate duplication and overlap should largely be carried out by Ministerial Councils.

In the circumstances it has become important that details of the scheduled dates for Ministerial Councils and Conferences be made known. Accordingly, the Premier would be pleased to receive, as soon as they are available, details of the dates on which you are asked to attend, and the general pattern of such meetings throughout the year.

It is also important that the Premier be kept informed of any matters that appear on Ministerial Council agendas, particularly those arising from Premiers' Conferences, and that a report of the decisions taken be provided as soon as possible after the conclusion (Memorandums 89-13, of 29th March, 1989, and 89-9 of 28th March, 1988, refer - copies attached.)

There should be close consultation with The Cabinet Office on all these issues and, as the Premier indicated in his recent paper for Cabinet on the Special Conferences, it is envisaged that representatives of the central agencies could become involved in functional reviews being conducted by Ministerial Councils.

To facilitate the receipt of the information, and the furnishing of advice to the Premier, would you please ensure that your responses are marked: "Attention: Branch Head, Cabinet Secretariat, The Cabinet Office, Level 6, State Office Block".

In respect of meetingswhich have already scheduled, your advice no later than 5th December, 1990, would be appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Gary L. Sturgess
Director-General