Ministerial Accountability

Ministerial accountability, also known as parliamentary accountability and ministerial responsibility, is a term that refers to the responsibility of ministers to ensure that their departments and agencies operate in a lawful and effective manner. This accountability is closely related to the principle of ministerial responsibility, which holds that ministers are accountable to Parliament for the actions and decisions of their departments.

Under the doctrine of ministerial accountability, ministers are responsible for setting the strategic direction of their departments, ensuring that policies and programs are developed and implemented effectively, and ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively. Ministers are also responsible for ensuring that their departments comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and for providing timely and accurate information to Parliament and the public. Specifically, the doctrine encompasses the following concepts:

Individual ministerial responsibility: Individual ministerial responsibility is a key aspect of ministerial accountability. It holds ministers personally responsible for the actions and decisions of their departments. Ministers are expected to take responsibility for any mistakes, misconduct, or policy failures that occur within their areas of responsibility. They may be required to resign or face consequences if they fail to uphold the standards of conduct expected of them.

Collective ministerial responsibility: Collective ministerial responsibility complements individual ministerial responsibility. It emphasises that ministers are collectively responsible for the decisions made by the government as a whole. This means that ministers must publicly support and defend government policies, even if they personally disagree with them in private. If a minister is unable to support a policy, they are typically expected to resign from the government.

Parliamentary scrutiny: Ministerial accountability is enforced through parliamentary scrutiny. Members of Parliament (MPs) have the authority to question ministers on their policies, decisions, and actions during parliamentary debates, question times, and committee hearings. Ministers are obligated to provide accurate information, justify their decisions, and be transparent in their dealings with Parliament. This process allows MPs to hold ministers accountable for their conduct and performance.

Select committees: Select committees play a vital role in holding ministers accountable. These committees are made up of MPs from different parties and have the power to examine government policies, scrutinise the work of specific departments, and investigate issues of public concern. Ministers are regularly summoned to appear before select committees to provide evidence, answer questions, and explain their actions. The committees can make recommendations or publish reports based on their findings, putting pressure on ministers to address concerns and make improvements.

In practice, ministerial accountability is exercised through various mechanisms, such as question time in Parliament, ministerial appearances before parliamentary committees, and independent reviews and audits of departmental operations. These mechanisms provide opportunities for scrutiny and oversight, and help to ensure that ministers are held to account for the performance of their departments.