Media Release: Ministerial Diary Disclosure Reforms One Step Closer

Ministerial Diary Disclosure Reforms One Step Closer

20 May 2026

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today welcomed the continued parliamentary pressure calling for real ministerial diary disclosures reform following the Lower House vote imposing a June 16 deadline for the Government to provide a public update on intended improvements following last year’s community consultation.

“The Premier is clearly on notice that our current inadequate ministerial diaries disclosures need an urgent upgrade,” Ms Webb said. 

“Now the Assembly has joined the Upper House in calling for reform, the entre Parliament has told Premier Rockliff that if he wishes to keep claiming he runs a transparent government, then he needs to walk that talk.”

Ms Webb said following her successful motion, the third in total, in the Legislative Council in September last year calling for consultation on ministerial diary disclosures reform, the Government released a public discussion paper but has not provided any updates since.

“It took the Upper House passing three of my motions calling for reforms on this significant democracy and accountability reform before the Liberal government finally respected those votes and acted accordingly.

“However, it has been radio silence from the Premier since public consultation closed at the end of last year on any proposed reforms to improve the transparency and accountability provided by ministerial diary disclosures.

“Tasmanians want to know who has the ear of Ministers in a timely manner, not four months after the fact.

“We need a modern and fit for purpose ministerial diaries disclosures system, that provides meaningful details about who is meeting whom, when and why, in a timely manner, and in a searchable format.”

Ms Webb praised the efforts of the Independent Member for Braddon Craig Garland whose successful motion in the Assembly today saw the Government agree to provide an update on any proposed new diary disclosures reforms by June 16.

“Once again this highlights the constructive contribution Independent MPs make to the work of the Parliament, and to the ongoing strengthening of our accountability mechanisms, improved good governance and a more robust democracy.”

Link: to DPAC Ministerial Diaries Disclosure Public Consultation webpage here.

Media Contact: A.Mark Thomas, M&M Communications, 0422 006 732