A shocking revelation has emerged about the Australian Labor Party's handling of a highly sensitive report, leaving many questioning their commitment to transparency.
The Labor government, under Prime Minister Albanese, has been accused of going to extreme measures to keep a controversial report under wraps. This report, which delves into the issue of 'jobs for mates' within the federal government, has sparked a heated debate and raised concerns about the party's integrity.
After their victory in the 2022 election, the Albanese government initiated a review of appointment processes for government boards, led by former Australian public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs. The review, which began in February 2023, was specifically focused on public sector board appointments and was not intended to scrutinize current appointments or individual processes.
Despite the review being completed in August 2023, the report has remained a closely guarded secret. Finance and Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher has stated that the cabinet is still considering the report, but its non-release has caused an uproar, particularly among crossbench senators.
ACT Senator David Pocock, supported by the Coalition and the Greens, took bold action last week. He proposed a motion to change Senate standing orders, aiming to increase the number of questions during question time until the report was made public. This move led to a lengthy question time session and a retaliatory response from Labor, who attempted to force attendance through roll calls.
Minister Gallagher defended the government's position, stating that the Briggs report would be released when the cabinet's work was complete. She accused Senator Pocock and other non-government senators of abusing Senate orders by demanding an unreasonable number of government documents.
The controversy has highlighted a significant increase in Senate orders for document production, with figures suggesting a jump from 53 in the 1990s to 336 during the most recent parliamentary term.
In an attempt to ease tensions, Minister Gallagher offered a closed-door briefing on the report's findings to the finance and public administration committee. She promised that the report would be released before the end of the year, as mandated by a Senate order. The briefing, however, only included a verbal overview and an opportunity for committee members to ask questions, falling short of a full disclosure.
The shadow home affairs minister, Liberal senator Jonathan Duniam, proposed an amendment to reinstate the longer question time format if the government fails to provide the report by December 31st. He emphasized the need to ensure the government fulfills its promise to provide the document.
Senator Pocock, determined to prevent the government from 'burying' the report during the pre-Christmas period, sought to bring forward the deadline to November 24th, the final parliamentary sitting week of the year.
The situation has taken an interesting turn, with Liberal and National senators voting alongside Labor on Wednesday. Senator Pocock criticized this move, stating that the Coalition had given Labor a free pass, undermining the Senate's ability to hold the government accountable.
"This is a loss for transparency and a disservice to the people who elected us," he said.
However, Senator Pocock also acknowledged that the added scrutiny has shed light on the political duopoly and the deals made to maintain the status quo.
The debate has extended beyond the report, with Labor facing further criticism for its plans to limit transparency through freedom of information changes. This unpopular proposal is currently being debated in the lower house, adding to the party's transparency-related woes.
The question remains: Will Labor release the report and address the concerns raised, or will they continue to prioritize secrecy over transparency? The outcome of this controversy could have significant implications for Australia's political landscape and the public's trust in its government.
