3.2 Non-Cabinet members attending Cabinet

Non-Cabinet members (other than the Cabinet Secretary) do not attend Cabinet meetings unless their attendance has been agreed to by the Chairperson.

When it has been agreed that a non-Cabinet member may be present, the Cabinet Secretary will arrange for their attendance. All non-Cabinet members must wait in the Cabinet anteroom until they are summoned by the Cabinet Secretary.

Public sector employees, Ministerial staff and statutory body employees may be invited to attend a Cabinet meeting only to assist their Minister and to provide advice at the meeting if requested. These attendees are expected to explain factual or technical material on request, but not to participate in discussions unless invited by the Chairperson. Officials cannot represent Ministers in Cabinet or on Cabinet Committees.

Non-Cabinet members present at Cabinet or Cabinet Committee meetings are privy to discussions on the basis of absolute confidentiality. There must be no disclosure of the nature or content of those discussions.