Page 3646 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 27 October 2015
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presented to discuss the importance of government transparency and to outline the action we have taken as a government to ensure that Canberrans have unprecedented access to government information. It is fair to say that the ACT is one of the most transparent jurisdictions in the world. This government has a strong legacy of making government decision making open to the public’s view and consideration and we are determined to keep the ACT a leader in transparency and to remain a jurisdiction that others look to for best practice.
I am happy to have a debate with the Leader of the Opposition about the government’s achievements in improving transparency but I must say it is somewhat ironic—
Mr Hanson: You will not debate me at the business council breakfast, will you?
MR BARR: That is what we have the Assembly for. But it is somewhat ironic to be lectured on the subject of transparency by a party that has made on-water matters and operational matters a new benchmark for barring public and media scrutiny of their actions. If members opposite are paying attention—
Mr Hanson: You are talking about the federal government now.
MR BARR: You are a bit sensitive on that point. It is an on-water matter, is it, Colonel Hanson? Is that what it is all about? It is an on-water matter, is it? That is the benchmark that your party has set for transparency in government, that your federal Liberal colleagues have set on-water matters and operational matters as beyond any media or public scrutiny. That is the benchmark for the Liberal Party. I will not be lectured by those opposite on transparency when the Liberal Party’s position is that there is to be no media or public scrutiny of on-water or operational matters. The irony is not lost and in spite of the constant interjections from the Leader of the Opposition, who is on a warning, I understand, Madam Assistant Speaker, it might be good if he shut up just for a moment.
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Lawder): Thank you, Mr Barr. You may continue.
MR BARR: Thank you, Madam Assistant Speaker, and thank you for calling the Leader of the Opposition to order. But now that those members opposite are paying attention, they might learn a little about transparency and just how much information is made available for consultation and what rigorous policy development looks like.
Mr Smyth: Do you want me to get you the article from the Canberra Times?
MR BARR: And here he goes again. Are you paying any attention to what is going on here?
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER: I beg your pardon, Mr Barr!
MR BARR: I am asking you a question, Madam Assistant Speaker.
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