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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-11-13 Daily Xml
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Ministerial Diaries

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (14:40): I seek leave to provide a brief explanation before asking a question of the Treasurer, representing the Premier.

The PRESIDENT: What does it regard?

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: Regarding ministerial diaries.

Leave granted.

The Hon. F. PANGALLO: In May 2014, former Liberal New South Wales premier Mike Baird made a commitment to publishing ministerial diaries to 'restore the public's trust in our political process'. The policy was implemented four years ago. Similar policies have been implemented in the Australian Capital Territory and in Queensland, where ministerial diaries are published retrospectively every month and provide details like dates and purposes of meetings, organisations or individuals, including registered lobbyists, and attendance at meetings with external parties seeking to influence policy or decisions.

My question to the Treasurer is: given the Marshall government is similarly focused about bringing greater transparency to government, what is the Treasurer's and the Premier's view of having an open book and will the Treasurer and the Premier endorse that the Marshall government implement a policy of publishing South Australian ministerial diaries?

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer) (14:41): I thank the Hon. Mr Pangallo for his public acknowledgement of the new government's commitment to greater transparency and accountability. I think that is a very fair assessment of the new government compared to the former government in terms of transparency and accountability. On the public record, I thank the Hon. Mr Pangallo for that acknowledgement.

However, in relation to the Hon. Mr Baird's 2014 commitment to the publication of ministerial diaries, I have no recollection—and I am probably in a reasonably good position to recall if there had been one, but I certainly gave no commitment, and I do not believe the Premier, or indeed any incoming minister, gave a commitment whilst in opposition to an equivalent policy in relation to South Australia. It is not an issue that we have committed ourselves to. The honourable member, however, has asked the question. I am happy to take his question on notice and to bring back a considered reply in relation to what the government's position might be.

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