Labor's Secretive Approach to a Controversial Report on Government Appointments
The Albanese government's handling of a report on government appointments has sparked controversy, with the Labor Party accused of 'burying' a report that could expose potential 'jobs for mates' scenarios. The report, commissioned by the government after the 2022 election, was intended to review appointment processes for government boards, focusing on public sector appointments. However, the report's findings have been kept under wraps, with the government citing ongoing cabinet consideration as the reason for the delay.
The report, led by former Australian public service commissioner Lynelle Briggs, was handed to the government in August 2023 but has never been made public. This secrecy has angered crossbenchers, including ACT senator David Pocock, who has been pushing for transparency. Pocock's motion to change Senate standing orders to allow more scrutiny of the government's actions was supported by the Coalition and the Greens, leading to a prolonged question time and a motion by Labor to force attendance with roll calls.
The finance and public service minister, Katy Gallagher, defended the government's position, accusing Pocock and other non-government senators of overusing Senate orders to request documents. Labor's figures suggest a significant decrease in Senate orders for document production compared to the 1990s, but this hasn't satisfied critics.
On Wednesday, Gallagher offered a closed-door briefing on the report's findings to the finance and public administration committee, promising a public release before the end of the year. The Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young emphasized the report's relevance to government transparency, highlighting the issue of 'jobs for mates' in successive governments.
Despite the government's efforts to maintain secrecy, the controversy surrounding the report continues to grow, with critics like Pocock pushing for a faster release. The debate over transparency and accountability in government appointments is far from over, and the public's right to know remains a central issue.
