This paper focuses on the genesis of the National Cabinet, elements that have helped make it successful, and how it can continue to fulfil the expectations of the Australian public during the COVID-19 recovery.

To deliver on its potential, the National Cabinet needs four key ingredients: 

• Embrace the vision of Federation as a flexible and agile system of governance
• Ongoing collaboration across levels of government
• Prioritising inter-jurisdictional reform
• Evidence-based decision-making and involvement of experts

Along with a “laser-like” focus on job creation, the National Cabinet is to be tasked with overseeing reform in key areas: the needs of rural and regional Australia, skills, energy, transportation, housing, transport and infrastructure, population and migration, and health. Within these areas, and strongly supported by our polling findings, the Blueprint Institute recommends the National Cabinet put the following issues at the top of their to-do list:

• Reducing regulation on small businesses so they can invest and grow.
• Moving towards a national consensus on energy and environment policy that reduces power prices and emissions while stimulating investment and jobs in renewable energy.
• Investigating opportunities for regional economic development, with a particular focus on advanced manufacturing and improving national resilience to shocks (such as pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and water/food security). 
• Increasing technology and innovation funding to drive entrepreneurial activity and encourage long term growth and job creation.
• Reforming the vocational, secondary and tertiary education system to improve the quality of our workforce, better connect skills with industry, and increase the long term viability of our training systems.