Cabinet papers are usually first considered by a Cabinet committee, with the decisions then confirmed by Cabinet. However, sometimes a paper may need to be submitted directly to Cabinet because it is particularly urgent or sensitive, or due to other exceptional circumstances.
If a Minister wishes to submit a paper directly to Cabinet, the prior agreement of the Prime Minister must be obtained. To lodge a request, the Minister’s office (with the approval of the Minister) should email the Cabinet Office at [email protected] before the 10am Thursday lodgment deadline, or as soon as possible afterwards. The form below should be copied into the email, and all relevant sections completed.
A separate late lodgement form does not need to be submitted even if the paper is expected to be lodged late, as the Direct to Cabinet form also includes the relevant late paper information.
The final version of the paper should still be lodged through CabNet (or in hard copy if the paper is classified as Confidential or above) by 10am on the preceding Thursday, pending advice from the Cabinet Office on whether the paper will be accepted for the agenda. The Cabinet Office will inform the Minister’s office if it has not been accepted, and discuss next steps.
Note that, if the Cabinet paper is of a higher classification than In Confidence, Sensitive, or Restricted, or includes a Special Handling or New Zealand Eyes Only endorsement, then it should be submitted to Cabinet Office in hard-copy. See the following link for more information on off-CabNet processes.
Direct to Cabinet request forms do not need to be submitted for Minister’s overseas travel papers, as these are only considered at Cabinet. Follow this link for more information about travel papers.