'Too much power': Split the Chief Minister and Treasurer roles, say Independents for Canberra

The real issue is not necessarily the two political roles being put together (although I consider that is problematic to some degree), but the merging of Treasury into Chief Ministers. That has ripped all power out of Treasury to be able to say ‘no’ to stupid ideas, or put up an alternate view about proposals, especially within the Budget process. Basically the policy arm has full say over the top of the entity meant to provide financial advice.

Splitting them back apart and giving Treasury the appropriate level of independence would be a good starting point.

Splitting the roles would not solve the problem – the relatively recent episode in NSW when the then Premier told the then Treasurer to provide funding for a regional hospital which was not otherwise considered a priority illustrates this point –

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/oct/29/ill-fix-it-gladys-berejiklian-told-secret-lover-she-secured-more-than-100m-for-hospital-in-his-electorate-icac-hears

There would doubtless be many other instances (albeit generally without the salacious context) in that and other jurisdictions where the head of government has told the head bean counter to do something which the bean counter would rather not do.

A better option might be to create a mini Parliamentary Budget Office for the ACT Assembly, which would empower the non-government MLAs (and maybe some government MLAs) with information otherwise denied to them. An ACT PBO could operate with a handful of capable staff – desirably seconded from relevant federal agencies as a development opportunity, which would reduce concerns that they might have divided loyalties.

Despite his name recognition and pedigree, Thomas Emerson appears to have little grasp or understanding of democracy, parliamentary processes and how they work, especially in the ACT. He complains that very little happens in the ACT without the say-so of the current chief minister who is also Treasurer, with little capacity for other ministers, including Greens, to challenge him. How does one respond to such a remarkably ignorant remark, but maybe Mr Emerson should look at the other jurisdictions to see the same makeups of their parliaments and governing processes.

I have very little confidence in Mr Emerson and have doubts as to his suitability to lead a political party. Seemingly anti-government, his apparently independent party appears to be a party of wreckers. I find it absolutely incredulous that Mr Emerson would pledge that if successful after the next election in October with his party holding the balance of power, he will push for changes in our parliament to prevent the same person from being both Chief Minister and Treasurer. This reckless proposal has been widely reported and rightly condemned for its ignorance in seeking to use his supposedly independent party as a vehicle to becoming Kingmakers!

Combining Treasurer & chief Minister positions is a better outcome governance wise than combining the Treasurer’s position with any other Ministerial position – increasing the Legislative Assembly to 35 members would deal with the problem and improve accountability with more members able to serve on committees

What has happened historically with small parliaments is irrelevant to what we should do in the future, especially in light of how badly the ACT government has served taxpayers over the past 20+ years.

It is also poor governance as acknowledged by so many successful commercial organisations who have abandoned this approach, instead separating the roles. Entrenching a dominant person and hiearachy reduces oversight, checks and balances, enabling corruption to ore easily occur without being noticed for significant periods of time.

It’s time for the ACT government to be more professional, more transparent and responsible to ACT taxpayers.

Absolutely too much power. Too many important decisions being made without enough consultation.

Easy answer to accountability issues – expand the number of members in the Assembly to 35

Treasurer Barr writes the budget, Cheif Minister Barr approves the Budget, Expenditure Sub Committee member Barr reviews the budget, nothing to see here, move along, says spokesperson for Barr. And, Greens support this!