Page 4645 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 19 October 2011
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MR SPEAKER: A supplementary, Ms Le Couteur.
MS LE COUTEUR: Chief Minister, what is the government’s policy about making available to the community information and modelling that have been developed by the public service so as to collaborate and engage in a meaningful way on an issue, and under what circumstances is it appropriate not to share modelling?
MS GALLAGHER: That is not the case. We are providing more information than we have ever provided before to the community. But there are time frames that we put around that, and there is an orderly process. For those matters that are currently before the government for consideration, to assist in the cabinet’s consideration, the majority of that information is kept confidential whilst that decision-making process occurs.
MS BRESNAN: A supplementary?
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Bresnan.
MS BRESNAN: Chief Minister, do you agree that providing the details of the figures asserted by the Attorney-General would assist in informing the public debate on this matter of public importance?
MS GALLAGHER: I would have taken the view that perhaps the Greens could have done a bit of this work themselves for their own bill and provided some of that information to the community to assist the community. It is the Greens’ bill. The government are constantly required in our legislation to go through extensive processes and provide all that information. I am not sure necessarily the open government website and information process were established in order to facilitate the community’s understanding of Greens’ legislation, to be fair and to be honest with you.
But I am sure that once the cabinet has considered what we need to consider as part of our own thinking and the Attorney-General is in a position to provide that information to the community to assist before that bill passes the Assembly then we will be more than happy to do so.
Open government
MS PORTER: My question is to the Chief Minister. Chief Minister, earlier this year you advised the Assembly of the practical steps the government will be taking towards greater openness and transparency.
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Thank you, members. Ms Porter has the floor.
Members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! The joke has been had, folks; let’s move on.
Members interjecting—
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