Who oversees a government department in a parliamentary system?

In a parliamentary system, a minister is the official who oversees a specific government department. Ministers are typically appointed from among the members of the legislature, often from the ruling political party or coalition. They are responsible for implementing government policy, managing their department's operations, and answering for their actions and decisions in front of the parliament.

This role is significant in ensuring accountability and governance as ministers also play a key part in the legislative process by proposing laws and reforms related to their departmental responsibilities. In contrast, while the Prime Minister leads the government and may oversee multiple departments, the specific oversight of a department falls to the appointed minister. Senators and secretaries may serve important functions but do not typically have the responsibility for directly managing a government department in the way ministers do in a parliamentary system.