Power and the Executive

Role of the executive

Dominance of executive

Federal Executive Council

Role of the Shadow Cabinet

• it holds government ministers and their departments to account for their actions and policies through appraisal, criticism and scrutiny

• it is the opposition’s senior group in Parliament and presents alternative views to Parliament through its processes and procedures

• Shadow Ministry puts forward and explains opposition policies and is considered the alternative government

Shadow Minister

• Is a senior member of the opposition in the Parliament who occupies the opposition front benches,

• is usually allocated ‘shadow’ portfolio(s) to match those of the government

• if there is a change of government a Shadow Minister may become a Minister. This is why it is important for them to understand the work of the department they 'shadow' and consider how they would run their portfolio.