Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk says her government will publish cabinet documents in 30 days instead of 30 years, while addressing her government’s response to the Coaldrake report on public service responsibility.
Key points:
- Ms Palaszczuk said she would accept all the recommendations in the report
- He said the government will examine the procedures used in New Zealand for the early release of cabinet documents
- David Mackie has been named as the person to implement the recommendations
Professor Peter Coaldrake on Tuesday released his final report entitled Let The Sunshine In, which made 14 recommendations designed to strengthen accountability and integrity mechanisms in the Queensland government.
Ms Palaszczuk said the historic report on public service accountability was “innovative and revolutionary” and will make Queensland a leader in integrity.
Recommendations included the proactive publication of cabinet documents, the improvement of integrity bodies, the protection of whistleblowers, and the strengthening of lobby regulation.
Ms Palaszczuk said she would accept all conclusions and labeled the publication of cabinet documents as the most fundamental recommendation.
“This is the most fundamental change this state and nation has ever seen. Far from 30 years of secrecy. It’s 30 days,” he said.
“This is an incredibly brave thought, and for a government to embrace it, it’s revolutionary.
Professor Peter Coaldrake delivered his final report entitled Let The Sunshine In yesterday. (ABC News: Mark Leonardi)
“My CEO has been in touch with New Zealand. We are looking at the way they published their cabinet documents because Peter Coaldrake drew extensively in relation to the procedures being adopted in New Zealand.
“We have already identified the public servant who will lead the implementation, who is David Mackie, he is the head of the Attorney General’s department.”
Today is the first time the prime minister has addressed the report’s findings after he underwent two-hour dental surgery yesterday, which meant he was unable to cope with the media.
“You don’t need a lobbyist”
Palaszczuk defended the role of pressure groups and their relationship with the government.
“I’m making it very clear to the entire Queensland business community,” he said.
“You don’t need to hire a lobbyist to meet with my government ministers.
“We go out, we do our community cabinets, all my ministers have come out this week for the Queensland region. I myself have visited two hospitals, people come and talk to me all the time.”
He said the timetable for when the recommendations will be implemented would be defined by parliament’s timetable.
“Some of these recommendations need a legislative change, so hopefully we can introduce something to parliament in August or go through normal parliamentary processes,” he said.
“I hope this is up and running by the end of the year or early next year at the latest.”
Ms Palaszczuk said she acknowledged the need to improve government culture.
“I can say I treat people with respect and I hope everyone else follows my example,” he said.
“What I can see is that this is a government health check and what I am saying is that I have read it and I am implementing it and I take personal responsibility for ensuring that the recommendations are implemented.
“I hug him, it doesn’t bother me. I asked for that.
“I think that’s a good thing for this government.”
Posted 47 minutes ago 47 minutes ago Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at 11:18 PM, updated 2 minutes ago 2 minutes ago Thursday, June 30, 2022 at 12:03 AM