Official visits of dignitaries are not covered by guidance documents in all jurisdictions. New South Wales, Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory are silent on this issue. The other jurisdictions have a high level of unanimity in how visits from dignitaries should be handled. The common advice is to defer the visit if possible, with either the Prime Minister or relevant premier taking the decision. Dignitaries who have scheduled a visit should be advised of the calling of the election and the reduced availability of ministers to meet them. The Victorian guidance points out that fixed four year terms should allow agencies planning visits to avoid the period in and around the caretaker period (VDPC 2006, p. 4).

The focus of jurisdictional advice on negotiations centres on attendance at ministerial councils and forums, where it could be expected (by other governments) that someone from the relevant jurisdiction would be involved. Tasmania is the one jurisdiction silent on such negotiations but other jurisdictions are in close agreement that, if possible, the government should seek to defer negotiations. If the interests of the State need to be represented at a ministerial council, it is accepted practice for a senior official to attend with observer status and with a limited role of supplying factual information on past positions. It is quite clear that no commitment or agreement should be entered into that would commit an incoming government.

The option of seeking Opposition agreement to a negotiating position is also canvassed by both the Commonwealth and Victorian guidance documents. The lead time for major Commonwealth–State negotiations is quite considerable and with the majority of jurisdictions on fixed terms, this is an area which has not been open to major breaches. In March 2007, the Commonwealth Government ceased negotiations of the new five year Medicare Agreements with the States until after the Federal election due in late 2007. The long lead times around negotiated agreements and the annual nature of most ministerial council meetings has left this area relatively free of controversy.