Chief Minister Gallagher is stamping her tiny feet after the Liberals and Greens joined forces to slow down her new Freedom Of Information laws:
Chief Minister, Katy Gallagher, and Attorney General, Simon Corbell, have today expressed disappointment at the refusal of the Liberal Party and the Greens to debate FOI laws that would further open up the work of Government to the community.
“The bill that was listed to be debated today contains key reforms to the Territory’s Freedom of Information Act and is clear evidence of a commitment to transparency and open government,”
the Chief Minister said.“It is disappointing that the other parties in the Assembly, who claim to hold the Government to account, have blocked debate on this important legislation today.”
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“The Government calls on the Opposition and the Greens to put the best interests of the community before politics and support this important legislation in a timely manner.”
In response the Greens’ leader Meredith Hunter had this to say:
The ACT Greens have been a big part of FOI reforms this term and FOI is one of the policy commitments won in the Parliamentary Agreement. We want adequate time to for all parties to participate in this legislative process.
The ACT Government’s attempt to ‘tick and flick’ through FOI reforms in two weeks without working with the other parties in the Assembly will not produce the best laws.
This is a blatant attempt to sell Ms Gallagher’s ‘Open Government’ branding, but is in reality a poor process that would rush laws that we should be taking the time to get right.
The Liberals’ Vicki Dunne had this to say:
“This legislation was not blocked in the Assembly today. The Assembly agreed to take more time to consider the Bill rather than let Simon Corbell ram it through. The Government’s behaviour goes completely against its supposed commitment to open government.
“The Canberra Liberals did not debate the FOI Bill today because the government gave the Assembly less than three weeks to consider and consult on important and complex legislation that requires considerable amendment. This is yet another attempt by the government to push through important legislation without a proper period for consideration.”
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