Page 2756 - Week 08 - Thursday, 11 August 2016
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As I have mentioned in my speech, the government is fully supportive of open and accessible government, as demonstrated by our open government initiative. However, an open access scheme must be properly constructed to be balanced and appropriate. For this reason we are seeking to remove budgetary papers, minutes of meetings of certain government bodies, reports, studies and draft policy documents from the definition of “open access information”. Government amendment No 9 will remove budgetary papers, including details of appropriations by appropriation units for classes of outputs from the definition.
MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (12.27): Madam Deputy Speaker, I cannot tell you the extent to which I oppose this amendment by the government. When I was going through this I wrote down, “Bring it on”. I cannot tell you the number of times I have put in requests for information and questions on notice trying to drill down into just the sorts of information that would be provided here; trying to drill down into what are the appropriations below the output class and what are attached to them. For probably nine years I have been foiled at every attempt to have this done. It is about time this sort of information was brought on. I cannot oppose this amendment more strongly.
MR RATTENBURY (Molonglo) (12.28): That is a hard act to follow on this particular amendment. Having spent my share of time on the crossbench where we simply wanted to understand elements of budget lines, the point Mrs Dunne makes is spot on. It is appropriate that members of the Assembly and members of the public be able to understand the breakdown of agency spending. It is an area where we should see considerable improvement in government processes. The Greens will also be opposing amendment No 9 put by Mr Corbell.
Amendment negatived.
Debate interrupted in accordance with standing order 74 and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour.
Sitting suspended from 12.29 to 2.30 pm.
Questions without notice
Government—integrity
MR HANSON: My question is to the Chief Minister. In light of the widespread opposition to your government regarding actions relating to liquor licensing, the community gaming model, late night venue restrictions, light rail, actions of the Land Development Agency, land development, dodgy deals, the casino, health system failures, rates that are escalating, land taxes, procurement, conflicts of interest, influence of Labor lobbyists and power brokers, failures in urban maintenance, the unions MOU and the school cage—to name just a few—what reforms will you offer to clean up perceptions of the smell surrounding your administration?
MR BARR: The government remains focused on the issues that matter to the people of Canberra and that is: investing in our city’s health system; and ensuring that we
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