The Joe Walker Podcast Cabinet is Australia's Operating System — Here's How It Works (Glyn Davis & Terry Moran)
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Dec 22, 2025 
Glyn Davis, former Secretary of the PM&C and ex-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Melbourne, and Terry Moran, a seasoned public servant, dive deep into the inner workings of the Australian government. They reveal where real power lies in Canberra and how decisions are often shaped behind closed doors. The duo discusses the critical role of public service expertise in policy design, the behind-the-scenes of cabinet meetings, and the dynamics of crisis decision-making during events like the GFC and COVID. Their insights challenge common perceptions of governance and highlight the importance of careful preparation in government.
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Collegial Debate Over The Cabinet Table
- Cabinet debates are typically collegial, focused on submissions, and rarely factional in public.
- Ministers who have read submissions and have views are heard and provoke constructive discussion.
Chair Well, Close Decisively
- A good chair lets ministers speak, avoids pre-empting the debate, and then summarises a clear decision.
- Prioritise time discipline: you have limited Cabinet hours to resolve many significant items.
Cabinet Often Ratifies Preworked Deals
- Most important decisions are negotiated and worked through before reaching full Cabinet.
- Cabinet often legitimises and finalises recommendations rather than being the primary site of conflict.
