Page 2143 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 21 June 2011
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In conclusion, what this demonstrates is that this is a government responsive to transparency, to openness and to accountability because they are fundamental tenets of democracy. And in contrast to the sloganeering we hear from those opposite, these are objectives backed up by clear and practical programs and resourcing to make them happen. Through the tangible examples I have just outlined, including an overview of the function of the Freedom of Information Act, the ACT government performance and accountability framework, its evaluation policies, guidelines and the establishment of the government information office, it is clear that the government is committed to an open and transparent framework in its decision making and provision of information.
In addition, of course, to this, and as the Chief Minister has noted, there will continue to be the need to develop a forward reform program to further embed and continue to enhance openness and transparency. As the Chief Minister has indicated, she will be making further announcements in this regard later this week. I am sure all members genuinely interested in this area of reform will be paying those announcements close attention.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (5.34): I am glad to follow the Attorney-General on this matter of public importance, because I wanted to dwell on his record in part. “Openness and transparency” has been the catchcry for this government since its election in 2001 and in the run-up to the 2001 election. Indeed, ACT Labor’s platform makes something of a headline of the fact, saying, “Governments must also ensure the full participation of all members of the community to achieve equitable outcomes.” A principal objective of ACT Labor is to “create openness so that all members of the community can participate in and understand government programs and policies”.
If you read ACT Labor’s webpage you will find a lot of fine words and a lot of cliches, very much like the ones that we have just heard from the Attorney-General. But, as Mr Seselja said in relation to earlier comments today, it is a matter of dwelling not so much on the words but on the deeds of this government. Ms Gallagher said that we were really just a bit negative and we are just opposition for opposition’s sake and that she was really looking for some ideas. So, stay tuned, Ms Gallagher—at the end you will get five suggestions from me about what you can do.
Ms Hunter says that this is a preoccupation of the Canberra Liberals and that we often bring forward MPIs in relation to openness, accountability and honesty in government. I was concerned that she was concerned about honesty in government. Does she have a problem with honesty in government, or is this something that the Greens should be striving for?
When we look at those opposite, we see that they are pretty good at the cliches, they are pretty good at the mush and the measly words, but they are not very good at actions. I would like to turn first to the actions of the Attorney-General. The Attorney-General has a habit of taking it upon himself to develop legislation that has considerable impact on the systems and processes of justice in the ACT. And in doing so, he fails to consult with the community, with stakeholders and much less with the wider community in general.
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