A storm is brewing in Canberra, and at its heart lies a highly contentious report that the Labor government seems determined to keep under wraps. This report, concerning potential 'jobs for mates' within the federal government, has sparked a major transparency battle. The government's reluctance to release it has ignited a firestorm of criticism, raising questions about accountability and the public's right to know. But why the secrecy? And what exactly is in this report that the government is so keen to hide?
Following their loss of control in the Senate last week, the Labor government is going to extraordinary lengths to keep a lid on a potentially explosive report. This report, commissioned after the 2022 election victory, was the brainchild of former Australian public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs. Her task? To review the appointment processes for government boards. The scope of the review was specifically limited to public sector board appointments, and it wasn't meant to delve into existing appointments or the individuals involved.
The final report was handed to the government in August 2023, but it has yet to see the light of day, despite initial expectations of a late 2023 release. Finance and Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher has stated that the report is still under cabinet consideration. But here's where it gets controversial: the lack of transparency has infuriated crossbenchers, including ACT Senator David Pocock. He's taken action, proposing changes to the Senate's standing orders to extend question time and allow for more scrutiny. This move, supported by the Coalition and the Greens, led to a marathon question time and a retaliatory move by Labor, which failed to force attendance through roll calls in the chamber.
Gallagher's response has been to promise the report's release 'when that work is finished,' accusing Pocock and other non-government senators of abusing Senate orders. She also cited figures indicating a significant increase in Senate orders for document production compared to the 1990s.
On Wednesday, Gallagher offered a closed-door briefing on the report's findings to the finance and public administration committee, with a promise of release before the end of the year, as mandated by a Senate order. The briefing was designed to offer a 'verbal overview' and a Q&A session for committee members.
The Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Liberal Senator Jonathan Duniam, proposed an amendment to reinstate the extended question time format if the report wasn't provided by December 31st. Pocock, however, pushed for a much earlier deadline – November 24th, the final parliamentary sitting week of the year – to prevent the government from 'burying' the report before Christmas. He criticized Liberal and National senators for their Wednesday vote with Labor, calling it a loss for transparency.
And this is the part most people miss: The Senate question time, which went on for over three hours, became quite chaotic. Labor accused some senators of skipping question time, while their proposal for roll calls was defeated. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young highlighted the crossbench's commitment to improving government processes and transparency, pointing out the underlying issue of 'jobs for mates' within successive governments.
The situation is further complicated by Labor's proposed changes to freedom of information laws, adding fuel to the fire.
But, what do you think? Is the government justified in keeping the report under wraps while it's still being considered? Or is this a clear case of a lack of transparency? Share your thoughts in the comments below – let's get a discussion going!
