Ministerial Liaison Officer

The Role

The roles in the Ministerial, Parliamentary and Cabinet Branch, sit at the intersection of Defence’s work and Parliament, allowing you to work across the breadth of Defence portfolio priorities. You will coordinate Defence's engagement with Parliament, Defence Portfolio Ministers and the Cabinet. 

There are several positions with roles covering: 

• Liaison with Defence Portfolio Ministers’ Offices and Defence Groups and Services facilitating timely, high-quality ministerial and parliamentary products; 
• Management and coordination of complex ministerial, parliamentary and Cabinet workflows (including Ministerial brief requests, Questions on Notice, Cabinet submissions and other parliamentary products);
• Coordination of business processes supporting Defence Portfolio Ministers and their offices; and 
• Development and sustainment of relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 

With support from your leadership, you will navigate risk and complex issues in a role that offers a rare perspective on political and organisational decision-making.

About our Team

The Ministerial, Parliamentary and Cabinet Branch plays a critical role in supporting Defence Portfolio Ministers and the broader Defence enterprise in its engagement with Parliament and Cabinet. We coordinate strategic outcomes aligned with Government, Ministerial and executive priorities, ensuring Defence operates with excellence, transparency and accountability at the highest levels of decision-making. 

The Branch comprises:

• Ministerial and Parliamentary Support and Ministerial and Executive Coordination and Communication (MECC) Business Management Team–Ministerial and Parliamentary Support provides comprehensive administrative and logistical support to Defence Portfolio Ministers and their staff, while MECC Business Management supports to the whole MECC Division.
• Defence Ministerials and Executive Support Unit – Delivers high-quality ministerial advice and supports Senior Executive Leadership.
• Senate Estimates and Parliamentary Business – Coordinates Defence’s engagement with Senate Estimates, Parliamentary Committees and Inquiries.
• Quality Assurance Unit – Uplifts the quality and consistency of ministerial products. 
• Cabinet Liaison Services and Strategic Cabinet Cell – Coordinates Cabinet business and strategic advice through the delivery of timely, high-quality Cabinet submissions. 

Our Ideal Candidate

We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, highly organised, have excellent stakeholder management skills, are committed to delivering high-quality outcomes on time, thrive in fast-paced environments and, through excellent communication, are able to solve problems.  

Our people are accountable, have high integrity and understand that people are central to success.

You will approach your role with accuracy, agility, flexibility, accountability and a commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes in a complex environment.  

You will exercise sound judgement, manage competing priorities and provide timely, practical advice in a complex and fast-paced environment. 

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a minimum Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. 

The Ministerial, Parliamentary and Cabinet Branch is a motivated, inclusive and professional team with diverse backgrounds and experiences – and welcome the same from applicants. You will enjoy being a participant in a positive, kind and supportive professional environment, and bring a constructive, collaborative and professional approach to working with others. 

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at “Negative Vetting Level 1”.

The Department of Defence employs around 18,000 Australian Public Service (APS) employees. Defence APS employees work in a wide variety of critical roles, Australia wide, enabling our three services Navy, Army and Air Force, to do their job. Defence has a range of Australian Public Service (APS) career opportunities that offer interesting, challenging, and unique work. Our workforce includes administrative support, accountants, intelligence analysts, engineers, policy advisors, graphic designers, lawyers, social workers, IT specialists and contract managers to name a few. We offer a rewarding career that includes professional development, work-life balance, recognition, a flexible and supportive work environment and a diverse workforce. To find out more about a career with Defence please visit https://www.defence.gov.au/jobs-careers