Media Release: Ministerial Diary Disclosures Transparency Strengthened But Premier Still Can’t Avoid Playing Games

June 5, 2026

Ministerial Diary Disclosures Transparency Strengthened But Premier Still Can’t Avoid Playing Games

5 June 2026

Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb today welcomed the news that Cabinet Members will now have to disclose more meeting details in their ministerial diaries which are to be released on a monthly basis, following her repeated motions passing in the Legislative Council calling for the introduction of ministerial diary disclosures and ongoing reforms.

“In 2023, my successful motion in the Legislative Council made the Government begin to release Ministerial Diaries,” Ms Webb said.

“However, since then I have been calling for a more transparent disclosures that actually update the community on who had the minister’s ear, when and on what matter.

“While the proof will be in the pudding, I welcome the Premier’s commitment his Cabinet members will now be required to disclose their diaries on a monthly basis, as I have been calling for over the last three years.

“I give cautious welcome to the undertaking there will be more meeting details disclosed, because honestly the Government is starting from a pretty low bar currently, with released diaries consisting of three-monthly list of columns, half of which are empty, and the purpose of the other half described vaguely as ‘various matters’.”

Ms Webb debunked the Premier’s call for non-government MPs to publish their diaries.

“Once the Government gives me the Treasury keys so I can issue grants and prop up corporations, or allow me into Cabinet meetings where secret deals I may make can be hidden behind ‘Cabinet in confidence’ for years, then I would disclose my diary.

“This is a childish and belittling call by the Premier, who well knows that Ministers are making formal policy and expenditure decisions on behalf of the State, which is why they are lobbied by big corporations and other key stakeholders and non-Government Members are not.

“The role of non-Government MPs is to hold the Executive to account, and the disclosure of Ministerial Diaries is to assist in fulfilling that responsibility.

“Once again, this campaign, which has involved Lower House MPs as well, 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.

“We can now only hope the Premier stops playing his slippery games and just gets on with ensuring his Cabinet earns the community’s trust and confidence.

Ms Webb said it was disappointing that the Premier – despite publicly stating he would be making an announcement regarding this reform on Thursday – then made a single outlet only “drop”.

“These games do not inspire confidence that he is committed to genuine transparency.”

Timeline: Ms Webb’s Ministerial Diaries Disclosure Reform campaign:

  • 28 March 2023– Meg Webb MLC’s 1st motion calling for public consultation on developing a best practice ministerial diary disclosure scheme passed by the Legislative Council.

Instead of undertaking the requested public consultation, the Rockliff government announced it would commence quarterly ministerial diary releases.

  • 15 August 2024– Meg Webb MLC tables a subsequent motion calling for an overhaul of the inadequate quarterly ministerial diary release system.
  • 10 September 2024– The Legislative Council votes in support of Meg Webb MLC’s  2nd motion calling for the current ministerial diaries disclosure system to be put out for public consultation regarding its adequacy, and to report back on progress by 28 November 2024.

The government failed to undertake the required action, and failed to report back to the Parliament.

  • 19 August 2025– Meg Webb MLC tables third motion calling for reform and public consultation on current inadequate ministerial diary disclosures reform, and criticising the government for ignoring previous passed motions on this matter.
  • 23 September 2025– The Legislative Council votes for the third time in support of Meg’s efforts to secure meaningful ministerial diary reform, by passing her motion calling for public consultation on a best practice ministerial diaries disclosure model, and required the government to provide a progress report by 5 December 2025.
  • 10 November 2025 – Premier Jeremy Rockliff announces the release of a public consultation discussion paper on reforming the current Ministerial Diaries Disclosure practices.
  • 8 December 2025 – public consultation on the government’s Ministerial Diaries Disclosure consultation paper closes.
  • 20 May 2026 – House of Assembly passes motion moved by Independent Craig Garland MP, noting the Legislative Council’s calls for reform, and requesting the Premier releases an update by 16 June 2026.
  • 2 June 2026 – Under Budget Estimates Committee from Ms Webb, the Premier states he will be making an announcement regarding Ministerial Diary Disclosures on Thursday the 4th.
  • 4 June 2026 – The Premier provides a secret Mercury newspaper-only update on the proposed reforms.