Media Release – Raise The Blinds on Ministerial Meetings
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb will this week move a proposal to develop a mandatory Ministerial diary disclosure regime and strengthen Tasmania’s integrity framework.
“Tasmanians deserve to know who is in the room when Ministers and Government representatives are discussing policy and funding matters with lobbyists and advocates,” Ms Webb said.
“Let’s raise the blinds on those meetings.
“Ministerial diary disclosure is an effective transparency mechanism to test how level our playing field actually is for those seeking to access and influence our elected representatives.
“I will put to the Upper House a request to the Tasmanian Government that it undertakes a public consultation process into developing a mandatory ministerial diary disclosure scheme.”
Ms Webb said the regular release of ministerial diaries is already established in the ACT, Queensland and NSW.
“Interstate and internationally, jurisdictions are recognising the disclosure of Ministerial diaries serves to both inform the community which public or private interests were involved in particular government decisions.
“Disclosure also reminds decision-makers they must include a broad range of perspectives into those processes.
“After the next state election, we will be returning more MPs with an increased Cabinet. It makes sense to invest now in ensuring the rest of our governance and oversight apparatus is also sufficiently robust.”
Ms Webb said in 2009, Labor Premier David Bartlett released his ministerial diary regularly.
“There is no good reason why this best-practice should not be re-introduced, applied to all Ministerial diaries and be made mandatory rather than optional.
“Lobbying by groups and individuals is a recognised part of our democratic process. But we must also acknowledge the risk to public confidence and trust should those with money and relationships receive more access and opportunity to influence than other Tasmanians receive.
“Having a ministerial door open to you shouldn’t be determined by who you know and how much money you have.”
Ms Webb said it is also important that MPs are aware at the time of debate whether vested interests have received equitable or disproportionate degree of access to ministers on policy or legislation before the Parliament.
“In July, months before last year’s debate on the Climate Change State Action Bill, I requested relevant ministerial diaries under the Right to Information Act to see who had lobbied the Government while its climate policy was being developed.
“I received that information from one agency on January 31 this year, despite the Bill passing the Parliament the previous November,” Ms Webb said.
“Timely and regular disclosure of Ministerial diary excerpts detailing their work-related meetings with stakeholders should not be considered excessive or punitive.
“Instead, this routine disclosure can protect government representatives and legitimate advocates from the perception of untoward interference in decision-making processes.”
Notice of Motion:
Ms Webb to move, That the Legislative Council:
- Recognises that the regular publication of the Members of Cabinets’ official diaries provides an important accountability mechanism, by improving transparency and strengthening public confidence in government decision-making processes;
- Notes that the regular and mandated disclosure of official ministerial diaries, detailing meetings with stakeholders, third-parties and registered lobbyists, is established practice across a range of parliaments including NSW, ACT, and Queensland;
- Requests the Tasmanian government undertakes to introduce mandated requirements for the regular and routine disclosure of all Ministerial and Cabinet Secretary official diaries, detailing scheduled meetings, and their purpose, with stakeholders and organisations, including third parties and lobbyists; and when developing this disclosure regime to also;
(a) ensure the process is informed by best practice examples of mandatory disclosure of ministerial diary requirements established in other jurisdictions, including examples of oversight and compliance requirements; and
(b) develop and publicly consult on a proposed Tasmanian mandatory disclosure of ministerial diaries scheme.
