Tasmanians will get their first look at cabinet submissions and briefing papers in the coming months, after the premier today set a target for the transparency reform.
The commitment follows months of pressure from independent MP Kristie Johnston, whose March 18 motion required the proactive release of cabinet papers within 30 days of a final decision.
The first tranche was meant to be available by April 30. It was not.
Johnston used question time today to ask Premier Jeremy Rockliff where the documents were.
“I’ve searched the DPAC website and can’t find them,” she said.
“Premier, can you tell us please where we can find these proactively released submissions and briefing papers?”
Rockliff acknowledged the motion but said implementation was more complicated than a simple administrative tweak.
“Our government is looking at what documentation can be released,” he said.
“It will take some time to put in place a process for the release of this documentation.”
The premier said cabinet confidentiality remained “fundamental to the effective functioning of government” but committed to delivering on the intent of the motion.
Pressed on a deadline, he told the house the government would “make every endeavour” to have the system running by the winter recess.
Johnston said the disclosure would be backdated to April 30 in line with the original call of the house.
“I welcome the premier’s stated commitment today to the motion and accept his promise to have the necessary portal available for public access before the winter recess,” she said.
The motion builds on findings from the independent review of Tasmania’s right to information framework, which identified a culture of ‘secrecy by default’ in government.
Similar proactive release models already operate in New Zealand and Queensland.
