What would a member of parliament actually do if they were made a ‘minister without portfolio’?

Usually, ministers in the Australian Government are in charge of managing specific areas like health, defence, finance or immigration. This area of responsibility is known as a portfolio. But sometimes, a member of the government has been made a minister without being given a specific area to manage – they are called a ‘minister without portfolio’. Examples include Stanley Bruce in 1932, Enid Lyons in 1949 and James Killen in 1982:

• Stanley Bruce was sent to the United Kingdom and Canada by Prime Minister Joseph Lyons to represent the Australian Government. Without a specific portfolio, Bruce had more flexibility to carry out this role. He represented Australia in setting up trade deals and talks on dealing with the Great Depression.
• As ministers, Enid Lyons and James Killen were, at different times, given a role called Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council. This is not a specific government portfolio but a role usually performed by a senior government minister who is part of Cabinet. The Vice-President of the Federal Executive Council has limited responsibilities. Primarily, they chair meetings of the Council when the Governor-General is unavailable.